Home Energy Efficiency Topics

Appliance Venting-What You Don't See Can Kill You

Residential combustion appliances such as boilers, furnaces and water heaters produce water vapor, carbon dioxide, and what we really want; heat. However, they may produce Products of Incomplete Combustion (PICs), including potentially harmful carbon monoxide (CO). In this article, CCI's Senior Auditor Jonathan Nadle shares his knowledge and experience concerning this critical home safety issue.

Air Sealing

According to ENERGY STAR, air leaks in your home account for between 25% and 40% of your heating and cooling costs. Uncontrolled outside air entering into your home through holes and cracks in the building structure is known as infiltration. Positive air pressure generated from wind and other environmental factors coupled with negative air pressure generated from mechanical systems in the home such as ventilation fans, chimney and exhaust flues promote infiltration. Not only does infiltration substantially increase your heating and cooling bill, it may be responsible for moisture damage, insect incursion, and dirt entering your home.

Insulation

Next to proper air sealing, insulation is arguably the most important feature that contributes to your comfort and your home’s overall energy efficiency. Without proper insulation, your home needs larger, more expensive heating and cooling devices to keep you comfortable and those devices need to work harder, consuming more electricity, gas, or oil and costing you money.