Most modern homes need mechanical ventilation systems to provide satisfactory indoor air quality. Many poorly ventilated homes have mold and mildew growing in wall cavities, high levels of airborne chemicals, combustion byproducts, or high utility bills. It’s...
What is draft? Draft is important to combustion efficiency and safe combustion. If draft isn’t adequate, chimneys can backdraft or spill. We measure draft between between two places in a combustion heating system. For example, we measure draft between the a...
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) scientists, led by Max Sherman and Iain Walker, are investigating whole-house ventilation options to support California’s Zero Net Energy Homes initiative. This research project is called Smart Ventilation for Advanced...
For energy upgrades to existing homes, homeowners should follow logical priorities, including indoor-air quality (IAQ). If a home has one-half a natural air change per hour (0.5 ACH50) of air leakage, an expensive central ventilation system makes no sense. With a...
Attic vents and attic venting are the most familiar and reliable roof venting option. That was the subject of part 1 of this post. But they may not work depending on the building’s design. Features like sloping ceilings and cathedrals may dictate an unvented...
Spring has arrived and Summer is just around the corner. If your heating system is in need of major repair or replacement, this is the time for you to get that done. If your furnace vents into an unlined masonry chimney, then you should install a chimney liner. If...