Affordable Comfort 2005

H&C 4 - House Depressurization & Combustion Safety

Thursday, May 19, 2005 · 8:30 AM - 10:10 AM

Heating & Cooling

H&C 4 AIA, ASHI, BPI, RESNET

House Depressurization & Combustion Safety

Why has house depressurization and back draft testing become a major part of performance contracting and weatherization standards? Homes are being built or renovated with less air leakage. More and larger exhaust devices are being installed in many homes. Find out how ventilation/energy codes and standards address the need for make-up air. What testing procedures are used to test for potential problems both before and after energy retrofitting houses? What are some potential solutions where problems occur? Do holes in the wall really work?

By attending this session, participants will

1. Review combustion venting and testing procedures

2. Find out how different codes and standards attempt to deal with the depressurization issue and make-up air requirements

3. Learn about potential solutions to make-up air requirements in new and existing homes

Keywords: backdrafting, building envelope tightness, carbon monoxide, codes, combustion venting, combustion zone, diagnostics, health and safety, heating and cooling systems, HVAC, liability, depressurization, spillage, testing

Martha Benewicz, WI Division of Energy, New Auburn, WI

John Hockman, JL Hockman Consulting, Inc., Winnipeg, MB

Robert Parkhurst, Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation, Madison, WI

Type: 100 Minute Session
Track: Heating & Cooling
CEU: AIA American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)

Course Presenter(s):

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