[Strawbale] Comment on forced air systems and dust

[dfugler at cmhc-schl.gc.ca]

To the Strawbale List,

Hydronically heated houses are just as "dusty" as forced air houses. 
Forced air systems do not produce dust; if anything, the filters harvests 
some of the airborne particles compared to houses without moving air. The 
implications by some people on this listserve that hydronically heated 
houses are cleaner has no proof and, in theory, should not be true. Dust 
or airborne particles come largely from the outside air and then from 
indoor activities (cooking, smoking, resuspension of floor dust, etc.) 
None of these "dust" sources are due to the heating system, be it forced 
air or hydronic.

Different houses will be "cleaner" or have fewer particles than others, 
but the method of space heating is not a big factor in the cleanliness of 
the house.

OK. I'll stop talking now...

Don Fugler
CMHC Policy and Research