General Information; Important Information About Efficiency And Indoor Air Quality - Rheem RBHP-17A00NH1 Installation Instructions Manual

2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

2.1 IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EFFICIENCY AND INDOOR
2.1 AIR QUALITY
Central cooling and heating equipment is only as efficient as the duct system that car-
ries the cooled or heated air. To maintain efficiency, comfort and good indoor air quality,
it is important to have the proper balance between the air being supplied to each room
and the air returning to the cooling and heating equipment.
Proper balance and sealing of the duct system improves the efficiency of the heating
and air conditioning system and improves the indoor air quality of the home by reducing
the amount of airborne pollutants that enter homes from spaces where the ductwork and
/ or equipment is located. The manufacturer and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's Energy Star Program recommend that central duct systems be checked by a
qualified contractor for proper balance and sealing.
FIGURE 1
MIGRATION OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES, FUMES, AND ODORS INTO LIVING SPACES
WARNING
Duct leaks can create an unbalanced system and draw pollutants such as
dirt, dust, fumes and odors into the home causing property damage.
Fumes and odors from toxic, volatile or flammable chemicals, as well as
automobile exhaust and carbon monoxide (CO), can be drawn into the liv-
ing space through leaking ducts and unbalanced duct systems causing
personal injury or death (see Figure 1).
• If air-moving equipment or ductwork is located in garages or off-garage
storage areas - all joints, seams, and openings in the equipment and
duct must be sealed to limit the migration of toxic fumes and odors
including carbon monoxide from migrating into the living space.
• If air-moving equipment or ductwork is located in spaces containing fuel
burning appliances such as water heaters or boilers - all joints, seams,
and openings in the equipment and duct must also be sealed to prevent
depressurization of the space and possible migration of combustion
byproducts including carbon monoxide into the living space.
NOTICE
Improper installation, or installation not made in accordance with the
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certification or these instructions, can result
in unsatisfactory operation and/or dangerous conditions and are not cov-
ered by the unit warranty.
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