Why has it become more difficult to get enough air to the burner in modern homes?

The correct answer highlights that modern homes are designed with significantly better insulation and sealing compared to older construction methods. This means that not as much outside air can naturally infiltrate the home. In well-insulated homes, the tightly sealed envelope reduces drafts and leads to a more energy-efficient environment; however, this also creates challenges when it comes to ensuring that enough air reaches the burner.

Burners require a specific amount of combustion air to operate efficiently and safely. When modern homes are sealed tight to prevent energy loss, it inadvertently limits the amount of air available for combustion processes, which can lead to incomplete combustion, increased emissions, and potential safety hazards, such as carbon monoxide buildup.

In contrast, while larger homes and changes in air quality may impact air flow, the primary issue in more recent construction is the focus on energy efficiency and insulation standards, which have markedly decreased the natural airflow needed for appliances like burners to function optimally.