Home ventilation is crucial for a comfortable home, but many people seem to forget about it until their renovation project starts.
Ventilation should be considered at the start of any new home or remodelling project as it is an integral part of the structure.
Home ventilation entails the removal of warm or cold air and the introduction of fresh air from outside. This air can be cooled or warmed depending on what you are looking for.
There are many types and forms of home ventilation, and we are going to look at the ones you are more likely to encounter below.
Uncontrolled Ventilation
Uncontrolled ventilation is where there is no active ventilation going on. You cannot turn it off like you can with the other options we discuss below.
Trickle vents and air bricks have been used in the past for this. The main issue that arises is that the ventilation will depend on the wind. If there is no wind there will be no ventilation, and too much wind can cause overventilation.
You must also open all doors and windows to allow for the movement of air. Because you are not adding anything to the home, uncontrolled ventilation will cost you nothing apart from opening some doors and windows.
Controlled Ventilation
This is what many people think about when they hear the word ventilation. It includes a system that creates positive pressure to push air out or negative pressure to draw fresh air in. There is usually a system that draws and expels air, cleans it, and filters it, as well as ductwork that distributes the air throughout the house or building.
The most popular controlled ventilation option these days is a heat recovery unit. Such units have two systems: one that extracts stale air from the home and one that draws fresh air into the home. The incoming air passes over the outgoing air so that it gets heated. The main advantage of this system is that you will always have fresh air in your home.
To get started, you can get in touch with companies that sell heat recovery systems. BPC Ventilation is a great example because, in addition to selling you the system, they can also install it for you.
Alternative Controlled Ventilation
There will be some instances where you are not able to install additional ducts in your home. In these instances, do consider alternatives like mechanical extraction ventilation (MEV) and positive input ventilation (PIV).
An MEV consists of a fan that extracts air from areas with high humidity, such as the kitchen or bathroom. It creates negative pressure which draws in air from the outside. A PIV system is installed in the loft or outside, and it supplies fresh and filtered air into the home by creating positive pressure that pushes stale air outwards.
These systems are affordable and they are great for remodelling projects where you do not want to do all the extra work it would take to install a heat exchange system, for example.
Ventilation is crucial for a comfortable home. There are different systems and options you can consider, each with its pros and cons. Some may work much better than others, cost more, and can be more challenging to install. Weigh up all these factors when thinking about adding ventilation to your home.
