Health & Safety
Why Health & Safety Matters to Building Decarbonization
Before diving into energy-efficiency improvements, it’s essential to ensure that your home provides a safe and healthy living environment for all occupants. In essence, ensuring that your home is safe and healthy lays the groundwork for successful energy-efficiency upgrades while prioritizing the well-being of your family. By taking a holistic approach to home improvement, you can create a living space that is not only energy-efficient, but safe, healthy, and sustainable for years to come. Below are a few areas to consider before you embark on your decarbonization journey.
Indoor Air Quality
Before taking steps to improve energy-efficiency (particularly air sealing and insulation projects) in your home, it’s important to first consider any indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns. The presence of asbestos and mold in particular pose potential concerns during air sealing and insulation projects due to the associated health risks and potential for exacerbating indoor air quality issues. A qualified contractor can help identify any specific concerns not addressed by the Home Energy Advisor program prior to completing any work to ensure the final product leaves your home healthy and safe.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was commonly used in building materials for its fire-resistant and insulating properties. However, exposure to asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials during home improvement projects – including air sealing or insulation – can release airborne fibers, posing a significant health risk to occupants.
Widespread Use
Asbestos was widely used in various building materials, including wall insulation, pipe insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, and roofing materials, particularly in homes built before the 1980s. Therefore, older homes are more likely to contain asbestos-containing materials that may need to be addressed before air sealing and insulation work can proceed safely.
Professional Removal
If asbestos-containing materials are present in your home, it’s essential to hire qualified professionals trained in asbestos abatement to safely remove or encapsulate the materials before undertaking air sealing or insulation projects. Attempting to remove asbestos-containing materials without proper training and equipment can result in significant health risks and legal liabilities.
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in damp, humid environments and can grow on various surfaces, including drywall, wood, insulation, and ceiling tiles. Exposure to mold spores can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory issues, asthma exacerbations, and other health problems, particularly in individuals with sensitivities or pre-existing respiratory conditions.
Moisture Control
Air sealing and insulation projects can potentially exacerbate mold growth if moisture issues are not addressed beforehand. Sealing air leaks without proper moisture control measures can trap moisture inside your home, creating favorable conditions for mold growth. Therefore, it’s essential to identify and address sources of moisture, such as plumbing leaks, roof leaks, or poor ventilation, before sealing and insulating your home.
Proper Remediation
If mold is present in your home, it’s crucial to address the underlying moisture issues and remediate the mold properly before proceeding with air sealing and insulation projects. Mold remediation may involve removing affected materials, improving ventilation, and implementing moisture control measures to prevent future mold growth.Indoor cooking gas, including both burned gas and any leaking gas, can contain carcinogens, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. These pollutants, released directly into living spaces, are linked with respiratory problems and cardiovascular disease. Venting is highly recommended with gas cooking, but even better is to replace gas stoves and ovens with electric alternatives. See “Electric Cooking” under “Appliances” on the Electrification page for more details.
Electrical Systems
Before embarking on electrification upgrades in your home, it’s crucial to assess your electrical system and update it if necessary. While upgrading parts or all of your electrical system may require an initial expenditure, it’s a worthwhile long-term investment that enhances the value and performance of your home. A modern electrical system not only supports electrification upgrades but also improves energy-efficiency, reliability, and safety, ultimately increasing the overall value and appeal of your property.
Here’s why old electrical systems may need to be replaced:
Older electrical systems (for example, if your house still has a fuse box rather than circuit breakers) may not have the capacity to support the increased electrical load associated with electrification upgrades, such as installing electric heating systems, heat pumps, or electric vehicle chargers. Upgrading to a modern electrical panel with higher amperage capacity ensures that your home can safely accommodate these new electrical demands.
Outdated electrical systems may pose safety hazards due to worn-out wiring, outdated components like knob-and-tube, or inadequate grounding. Over time, these issues may lead to electrical fires, shocks, or other hazards. Upgrading to modern wiring, circuit breakers, and safety devices improves the overall safety of your home and reduces the risk of electrical accidents.