During the cold winter months, our indoor air quality can suffer because we keep doors and windows closed. Sometimes health and safety issues can arise. According to the Energy Savers Handbook, here are some things to consider:
"Unvented space heaters give off carbon dioxide, water vapor and, when not working properly, carbon monoxide and other chemical pollutants. If you are using unvented fuel-burning space heaters, you should postpone house tightening until they are removed.
"Do you have a gas cook stove? Gas stoves give off a lot of water vapor. The oven gives off some carbon monoxide on startup and can give off much more carbon monoxide if the stove is not working properly. Gas stoves should be vented to the outdoors through a power-vented range hood. If your gas stove is not vented, you should forego extensive house tightening.
"Do your bath fans work properly? The best way to control indoor air quality is to
remove the contaminants, including moisture, at their source. Your bath fans provide an excellent opportunity to ventilate moisture and other pollutants at minimal cost.
"As part of your air sealing project, you should make sure your bath fans are working. Hold a stick of incense below the fan to see whether it pulls the smoke from the room. Try it with the bathroom doors open and closed. If the fan works only when the doors are open, you will need to undercut the doors to allow air into the bathroom. If the fan doesn't work under any conditions, you should replace it."
From Chapter 2 of The Virginia Energy Savers Handbook 2008: Department of Mechanical Engineering of Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA 24060
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