We’re observing a noble effort to demonstrate energy management by active Weatherization Programs which will no doubt beef up insulation in homes, make every effort to stop air leaks (or circulation), and in general make each structure in the program a “tight ship”.
Here is where I have a real problem with the Weatherization Program. In my opinion, we are basically trading heating bills for future medical bills. Making the structure hyper-insulated, by stopping air flow (in and out), increased moisture is locked into the system.
To much moisture in a house can be devastating over time. When a structure cannot ‘breathe’, the trapped moisture has every chance to turn to fungus, mold, bacteria….illness and medical issues. But, by golly, we saved some fuel.
I lived many years in the high country of Wyoming where the humidity is in the teens through the thirties most of the time. We did not worry about to much moisture but our skin was always dry and the furniture joints came apart. We could get by with minimal ventilation in our houses. But, even there, sealed vents and no cracks could lead to unhealthy moisture levels, particularly in bathrooms where the sheetrock in some structures would go to moldy mush.
Missouri is a whole different game with a range of 50% to 100% humidity.
Occupants in the house are breathing, cooking, running water for laundry, showers, etc. The interior humidity is generally higher than that on the outside. That moisture has to go somewhere.
If the house can not breathe because it has been sealed like a plastic bag with non permeable house wrap, vinyl or steel siding and every crack and joint caulked, the moisture soaks the framing lumber, sheathing, insulation, sheetrock or other wall coverings and the windows sweat. Where air is not available, mostly inside the walls, mold forms.
Additionally, we now have a problem with radon gas; it can’t escape either.
Ever wonder why cancer is more prevalent today than it was a hundred years ago? Houses used to be drafty, people may have thought they would freeze to death but they didn’t. They didn’t suffer as greatly from cancer causing mold and radon either. Soft remediation for radon is to keep a window cracked when the levels have been shown to be higher than desirable. Simple answer: ventilation.
Properly built strawbale houses are one up on conventional houses because they breath and at the same time are not drafty. A lime or earth plaster over the straw bales will let moisture through but stops the wind.
If you live in one of today’s “well built” conventional houses, you need some way of exchanging the inside air with the outside. The most efficient way is with an air exchanger. Do a Google search and you will find several brands. They all work on the same principal, as the inside air is exhausted it heats the outside air coming in with a minimal temperature lose, which is made up for and then some by the house being dryer, especially the insulation.
Without regard for the mold and radon issues, damp insulation drastically looses it’s effectiveness. Suddenly, all that fuel we were saving is being called for to produce heat in a wet environment of soppy insulation. Ventilation doesn’t mean that there must be harsh air exchange that affects the thermal comfort of a home or office. Major drafts can gobble up lots of fuel. Soggy insulation will not provide the protection promised; causing occupants to call for more heat, burning more fuel.
The down side to an air exchanger is maintenance. It has to be kept clean. It is easy to understand that if mold grows in the damp dust and lint of the air exchanger, it will be scattering mold spores all over the house.
Another option that will make a difference is a well ventilated attic. And I mean well ventilated. Use natural air flow, it’s cheaper and doesn’t consume energy. Louvers in the end peaks of the structure can make a lot of difference.
Think carefully before you accept weatherization services. Insist on some ventilation situation to protect that extra insulation and keep it dry so it can do its true magic for your house.
Lastly, don’t yell at the kids for leaving the door open an extra minute as they reach back for the school books; they are doing you a favor. They are making an air exchange for you! It may seem like you’re going to burn more gas or oil, but it will be a healthier burn today than in a sealed up tomb of a house tomorrow.
This my opinion and I would be glad to hear yours. Thanks for reading this, keep your house dry, Richard
