All homes need ventilation which is the exchange outdoor air with indoor air in order to reduce moisture, gases and other pollutants. Contaminants such as volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and radioactive gas radon that can cause health-related problems can accumulate in homes that are not adequately ventilated. Inadequate ventilation will allow unpleasant odours and toxic vapours to linger. Excessive moisture that is internally generated, should be removed, and whole house ventilation can eliminate the risk of structural damage from high humidity.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) has established some standards, that states that ventilation rates in living areas, should be at least 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) for each person. Normally, air enters into a building through cracks and holes, or through doors and windows. However, lifestyles have changed, and opening windows to allow fresh air to enter, is not as common as it once was, and we are left mainly with the infiltration process.
Unfortunately, infiltration rates are often unpredictable and uncontrollable because they depend on various factors than include wind velocity, outdoor temperature, and how well the house is sealed. Securely sealed homes can sometimes have insufficient ventilation at most times, while homes with higher infiltration rates, may be more expensive to heat. There is also the added potential of contaminated air infiltrating the home, and this can be potentially dangerous if your home is in heavily industrialized areas.
Whole house ventilation uses one or more fans and duct systems to exchange fresh air with old air. Home energy experts express the principle with a 4 word aphorism, seal tight, ventilate right. The result can often be lower energy bills along with much improved air quality.
The use of localized exhaust fans in bathrooms or in the hoods of kitchen appliances is also known as spot ventilation. It is one of the methods used to quickly remove polluted air where it is generated, and can be a very important tool for improving and maintaining air quality. Spot ventilation should be included in any whole house ventilation design.
The decision to use whole-house ventilation is usually influenced by concerns of indoor air quality is poor, even if there is spot ventilation installed to control pollution sources. There are different classifications of the systems, and the use will be determined by the type of housing. If the mechanical system forces inside air out of the home, it is usually classified as exhaust ventilation. Balanced ventilation forces equal amounts of air into and out of the home, and supply ventilation provides fresh air into the home on a continuous basis.
As more modern homes are built with multiple bathrooms, and wet rooms, it means more moisture in the air in the building. It may become much more cost-effective to replace several individual air extractors with one Central extraction ventilation unit. A Central Extraction Ventilation unit, requires only one vent to be connected to the exterior. Connection can be made through the wall, or a vent can be installed on the roof to expel the stale air. Since only one electrical connection is required, significant saving can be realized, as the need for multiple extractors is eliminated.
A whole house ventilation system is much cheaper and easier to operate as a ventilation system to improve air quality. A specialist should be hired to select and design your whole house ventilation system.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE) has established some standards, that states that ventilation rates in living areas, should be at least 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) for each person. Normally, air enters into a building through cracks and holes, or through doors and windows. However, lifestyles have changed, and opening windows to allow fresh air to enter, is not as common as it once was, and we are left mainly with the infiltration process.
Unfortunately, infiltration rates are often unpredictable and uncontrollable because they depend on various factors than include wind velocity, outdoor temperature, and how well the house is sealed. Securely sealed homes can sometimes have insufficient ventilation at most times, while homes with higher infiltration rates, may be more expensive to heat. There is also the added potential of contaminated air infiltrating the home, and this can be potentially dangerous if your home is in heavily industrialized areas.
Whole house ventilation uses one or more fans and duct systems to exchange fresh air with old air. Home energy experts express the principle with a 4 word aphorism, seal tight, ventilate right. The result can often be lower energy bills along with much improved air quality.
The use of localized exhaust fans in bathrooms or in the hoods of kitchen appliances is also known as spot ventilation. It is one of the methods used to quickly remove polluted air where it is generated, and can be a very important tool for improving and maintaining air quality. Spot ventilation should be included in any whole house ventilation design.
The decision to use whole-house ventilation is usually influenced by concerns of indoor air quality is poor, even if there is spot ventilation installed to control pollution sources. There are different classifications of the systems, and the use will be determined by the type of housing. If the mechanical system forces inside air out of the home, it is usually classified as exhaust ventilation. Balanced ventilation forces equal amounts of air into and out of the home, and supply ventilation provides fresh air into the home on a continuous basis.
As more modern homes are built with multiple bathrooms, and wet rooms, it means more moisture in the air in the building. It may become much more cost-effective to replace several individual air extractors with one Central extraction ventilation unit. A Central Extraction Ventilation unit, requires only one vent to be connected to the exterior. Connection can be made through the wall, or a vent can be installed on the roof to expel the stale air. Since only one electrical connection is required, significant saving can be realized, as the need for multiple extractors is eliminated.
A whole house ventilation system is much cheaper and easier to operate as a ventilation system to improve air quality. A specialist should be hired to select and design your whole house ventilation system.
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