Heat For a Healthy Home
By John Senechal

The furnace was giving off noxious odors; the homeowner was frustrated. The service man was thorough and competent but had been unable to find the problem. Called in to consult, I had several theories to check. My stool happened to be above a floor register when the problem occurred, and I was astonished at the oily, heavy smell that came out. However, the smell told me something: there was indeed a leak in the combustion chamber of the oil furnace. The smell was from oil at the point of ignition, a small explosion when combustion is incomplete, much smoke results, and the chimney has yet to draw the smoke away.

So we called the furnace contractor and discussed it in mechanic's terms. On a third inspection, he did indeed find a small crack.

This was an unusual case, and in no way is my telling of it intended to alarm. Complex mechanical systems are prone to break occasionally. There is no great fault; consider what is being done. A foul noxious substance is introduced to the heart of your home, burned and then dissipated to the wind. It's miraculous to see it done so successfully, that it could be so taken for granted. The problem is in the underlying assumption: that it is okay to bring toxic elements into your home and not expect some negative effect.

Far greater in concern is the ventilation standard for public buildings. Human comfort is legally judged to be adequate if 80% of the tenants are happy. This standard is set by our various government legal experts, as one we can live with. However there are a number of people, out of the 20% remainder, who are badly affected, who need fresher and cleaner air.

What about oil furnaces? Oil has the danger of spills, not only of tankers, but spills around your own fuel tank, leaking underground storage, and malfunctioning furnaces. Most importantly, you must consider the toxic byproducts of oil combustion. The chemistry released by oil burning is harmful to many people.

Gas heat is much more environmentally benign. Natural gas and propane break down into water vapor and carbon dioxide. There is a small amount of additive to account for its characteristic odor. Some people find that they are allergic to those additives, but allergies are usually not a problem if the system is adequately vented. Gas stoves and heaters should always be vented. If they are not, excessive water vapor in winter can condense on interior surfaces and grow significant molds, a serious health risk. Recently, I examined a house that had an unvented gas log fireplace. The owner was quite pleased with it, but I found the attic covered with mold. Water vapor had passed through the ceiling and condensed on the inner surface of the roof. If I could see inside the walls too, I would have observed the same there. The owner was having serious respiratory problems that required filters and oxygen bottles.

Electricity is a wonderful heat source for people who are concerned with cleanliness for health. All of the pollution is centralized elsewhere, and you needn't face the question of where it comes from at all. However, mold can also be a problem with electric forced air heat. Ductwork must be checked and cleaned regularly. As a heat source, it tends to be cheap to install and expensive to operate. There is also significant concern that magnetic fields can have subtle side effects. In common construction, nothing is done to shield occupants. I have not found electricity to be a popular option for heating because of the cost, and I recommend against it except in certain circumstances.

Wood heat is very good for you only in the sense that you must get out in the woods and exercise furiously to get it. I have burned wood most of my adult life. I have to say that it is among the dirtiest and heaviest fuels. But it is renewable, and since my business requires occasional tree trimming and felling, it is honestly come by. I cannot recommend wood heat for everyone, only if you are an extreme sort such as myself. The dirt carried into the house, the smoke from backdrafts, and chimney cleaning make it a dubious choice for a healthy household, even though some modern catalytic converter wood stoves cause significantly lower indoor air pollution.

Solar heating is the major source that is free from environmental concerns, both inside and outside the home. There is no fear of spillage, no political upheavals or wars on its behalf, no line of supply subject to disruption, and no fuel cost. Heat is simply collected, stored and distributed throughout the house. Passive solar heat can provide up to 60% of your household warmth and should be a given in every house. Active solar heat uses panel and storage tanks with pumps and radiators. Because hot water is commonly used to distribute heat in an active system, the hardware and backup furnaces can be located anywhere, even outside and downwind from the living spaces.

Solar heat and healthy homes are a good match. Several states in the Southeast offer tax credits for incorporating solar energy into your home. (See the April-May 2002 issue of NLJ for more on tax credits in your state.) What could possibly be better for your health that also gives you money back? Ask NC about the 40% direct tax credit. The NC Solar Center has valuable information freely available to the public. Contact them at: 1-800/ 33-NC-SUN or web site www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/default.htm

John Senechal owns Bald Mountain Homes, an alternative construction company based in Asheville, NC. He specializes in solar installations and solar construction. Contact him at 828-252-9357.

This article first appeared in the Summer 1999 issue of New Life Journal. It is © John Senechal and New Life Journal. No part of this article can be duplicated without written permission of New Life Journal.