Control of Combustion Appliances

Goals

Increase indoor air quality
Increase combustion safety

How It's Done:

A very tight house becomes much more sensitive to pressure changes. Gas appliances typically draw air around them to burn and vent combustion gasses through a funnel type hood. A house insulated with Icynene foam insulation should not have any natural draft, or open combustion appliances anywhere within the envelope of the home.

The options are:

Use electric appliances
Locate gas water heaters in the garage
Make sure fireplaces have their own outside air supply
Use sealed combustion gas heaters
Locate natural draft gas heaters in a utility closet and provide that closet with a supply of combustion air from the outside

Following these recommendations will eliminate the potential for backdrafting of smoke, carbon monoxide, and other combustion gases into the living space.