Improving Home Health and Safety |
 |
 |
 |
|
Improper sealing and insulation installation can actually cause more harm to homeowners. During normal operation, gas appliances such as clothes dryers, water heaters, and furnaces release combustion gases (including carbon monoxide) through their ventilation systems. Leaky duct work in a heating and cooling system can cause "backdrafting," where these gases are drawn back into the living space, rather than expelled outside. Sealing leaks can minimize risk. Additionally, fumes from household and garden chemicals, insulation particles, and dust can enter the duct system, aggravating asthma and allergy problems. Sealing ducts can help improve indoor air quality by reducing the risk of pollutants entering ducts and circulating through your home. “There are an alarming number of 'sick' homes in the U.S. One out of every three homes in metro areas has a health or safety threat,” USA Today. “At Green Building Energy Services, the health of the homeowner is our top priority,” says Ben Sutterfield, BPI Certified Professional Building Analyst, Certified Proctor and Licensed Home Inspector. “Our expertise in building envelope and energy efficiency solutions focus on the whole house as a system concept. Green Building Energy Services provides whole home sealing services that improve the home’s safety and energy performance.” According to Ron Sims, Deputy Director at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), “The USA Today report validates what we've been saying at HUD, that we need to restore homes … you can't be healthy if your home is sick.” “The sheer number of homes impacted by health and safety issues is alarming,” says Rebecca Morley, Executive Director, National Center for Healthy Housing. When ventilation is poor in a home, indoor air can become stale. Both older homes and newer ones may have ventilation problems. Everyday pollutants such as dust, moisture from showers, cooking odors and smoke can build up in the air if ventilation is poor. You may become mildly ill from poor ventilation and experience symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. More serious health problems may be caused by carbon monoxide leaking into your living space. Carbon monoxide levels can build up inside your home without any warning, through poor ventilation and leaky ducts. A carbon monoxide detector is a good investment, but doesn’t solve the problem. A comprehensive home performance assessment enables us to identify health and safety issues in your home. At Green Building Energy Services, we provide a scientific evaluation and recommendations such as whole house air sealing and exterior wall insulation to improve your comfort, the home’s safety and energy efficiency. Click here to learn more about fire retardant home insulation.
|
 |
 |
|