Many ways to keep home healthy, safe

     By Scott Gulbransen
     View staff writer
      The Engineered for Life program, offered locally by Pulte Homes, may not be available for those Northwest residents who already own their home but experts agree there are ways to improve the environment in existing homes.
      "Many of the things we do within the Engineered for Life program can be done in existing homes," said Joe Lstiburek, forensic engineer and owner of Building Science Corp. "But that aside, there are everyday things you can do to make your home more efficient and safe."
      Engineered for Life has compiled a list of tips for a safer and healthier home:
      n If the home has a fireplace, don't close bedroom doors or open upstairs windows when operating the fireplace. Either condition can shift the home's pressure balance and cause a backdraft of carbon monoxide into the home.
      n Don't overuse candles. Some candles and oil lamps cause severe soot stains on walls, ceilings, carpeting, television screens, refrigerators and other surfaces. If soot gets into the ductwork and HVAC equipment, it can be very costly to fix.
      n If each room of the house doesn't have both a supply and return register, meaning air both enters and exits the room when doors are shut, be careful about closing interior doors. Closing the door to a bedroom with supplies and no returns can cause a furnace, water heater or fireplace in another part of the house to backdraft carbon monoxide into the house.
      n Never use unvented combustion appliances inside a house. These devices, such as portable kerosene heaters, can put carbon monoxide, excess moisture and pollutants into your home.
      n Check for air leaks between the garage and the house. One study found high levels of carbon monoxide inside the house with the garage door open after the car was running for only 45 seconds.
      n Plant shade trees on the west and east sides of the home. This can reduce summer heat gain and improve comfort while reducing energy bills.
      n Have the air-tightness of the home tested. A leaky building can let in moisture and pollutants such as mold, pollens, radon, dirt and dust as well as cause comfort and durability problems and higher energy bills.
      n Make sure insulation is installed correctly. There should be no voids, gaps, compression or wind intrusion into the insulation.
      n Keep smoke, carbon monoxide and radon detectors on each level of the home.
      Lstiburek also suggests when buying a new home, if it isn't already part of the Engineered for Life program, there are things to ask the builder to do to ensure a safer and more energy efficient home.
      "One of the most important things you can do is ask your builder to make sure the air duct system is sealed correctly," Lstiburek said. "Most homes lose 20 percent of their cooling or heating because of leaking ducts.