Signs Your Home Is Gasping For Air

In attempting to conserve energy and reduce our heating costs, we can sometimes make our homes too air tight. In fact, for a house to be healthy, it needs to "breathe". It needs to expel moisture and other gases from inside and take in a constant supply of fresh air from outside.

How can you tell if your home is too air tight?

• Generally the air inside your home is stuffy and stale.
• Excessive condensation dripping down your windows. (This could also mean your humidifier is set too high so check that first.)
• The pilot light on your gas appliance keeps going out.
• A gas flame burns yellow instead of blue (except in the case of a natural gas fireplace).
• The smell of exhaust gases are present in your home. Although you can't smell carbon monoxide, other exhaust gases do have an odour.

If your home is too air tight, exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, can build up. If you see these signs, contact a certified heating contractor or a building ventilation expert to check your home out and correct the problem.