HVAC Fire Safety - I’m not sure how many HVAC technicians have heard of on-the-job horror stories. Whether the job was commercial or residential. However, I am certain they have happened as I have heard of these horror stories happening to others.
Whether you have ever heard of it happening to others or even if it has happened to you it is important that we remain forever vigilant. This is absolutely true when it comes to fire safety on the job. Especially when we are constantly using fire as a part of our job.
And especially for silver soldering (brazing), soft soldering, or even when we are working on gas or oil boilers or furnaces. Here is an account of a few things that I’ve personally experienced and the lessons learned from these occurrences.
Home Ventilation and Pressure - It is becoming increasingly necessary to have your home checked for home pressurization. Does your home have negative pressure inside of it? Do you have a gas or oil furnace which is inside the home and uses the air in the home for combustion air to fire the furnace or boiler?
Do you have other gas or oil-burning appliances, a fireplace, gas logs, or anything which consumes air inside the home? This does not refer to furnaces that are located in the attic (unless you have a completely sealed attic or the attic has a maximum height of fewer than 30 inches.)
Home Ventilation and Pressure | Appliances and Air Content
These appliances consume air and along with some other air-consuming appliances in your home, the issue of home pressureand home ventilation comes into question especially in this day and age when the drive is on to increase efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
Homes are being built tighter with better insulation, doors, and windows. Less infiltration air is being fed into the modern homes of today so it’s important to give the home a safety check to make sure there is enough air left over for the occupants of the home.
HVAC Tip - According to studies done by the Department of Energy, 50 percent of the heat loss experienced in the average home occurs through the ceiling. That makes a lot of sense since heat rises. You can reduce that heat loss (heat gain in the summer months) by adding another layer of insulation in the attic. That will hold more heat in our homes for a longer period of time which means the furnace will cycle less. That means you are going to save money. A lot more money than another layer of insulation costs. Additionally, having an attic fan controlled by a thermostat installed in your attic will remove a lot of heat in the summer. This will help you, in addition to having more insulation, reduce heat gain from the attic in the summer.
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