Your home is a system that is made up of a furnace, water heater, stove, insulation and windows. If any of these are underperforming, the home loses efficiency, comfort, and can lead to health issues. Below are examples of issues that arise when different components of your home under perform. A poorly insulated home in the cold season forces the furnace to work harder to keep the house at a given temperature. In the hot season, a poorly insulated home forces the air conditioner to work harder. In both scenarios, the home uses more energy than necessary, and temperatures vary from room to room, causing discomfort. Before any insulation is installed, air sealing should be performed on the whole house. Air leaks occur in all homes, even newer ones, and they allow air to leak in and out of your home, causing high energy bills, cold drafts, and mold. Mold is a major threat because it causes air quality issues that lead to health problems. Your home is particularly susceptible to mold and mildew problems when air leaks into unconditioned spaces - like attics and craw spaces. All combustion appliances, such as gas furnaces and water heaters, should be tested for efficiency and back drafting. Back drafting means combustion gases or exhaust from an appliance is spilling into your indoor air. Sometimes low levels of back drafting go undetected, but they can cause minor flu like symptoms for the occupants.
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