Proper Home Ventilation
Modern homes have become almost airtight. This has several advantages as it saves money on energy bills, and also keeps outdoor air pollution from entering your home. Unfortunately air tight homes can also have a negative impact. An accumulation of indoor pollution and poor air circulation can mean that your home is subjecting you to a higher concentration of allergens and contaminants than you can imagine. Proper ventilation within your home has become essential in protecting you, and your family's, health. The purpose of ventilation is not only to remove bad odours and to circulate good air into your home. Proper ventilation also removes or dilutes potentially hazardous pollutants, gasses and allergens. It also helps to control indoor humidity and, as a consequence, limits the growth of harmful organisms like dust mites and mould spores.
Having an efficient air exchange also protects your home and its contents. By removing excess moisture from your home, it can prevent timber rot, and degradation of your home. Your electronic items like your TV and your computer are also highly impacted by moisture and dust, which can cause deterioration and short circuits. So having proper ventilation is important in improving the life of your household products, and not just your family.
A reasonable target for humidity within the home is 55%. When you use a good air conditioning system with a proper filtration process and efficient circulation capabilities you will be creating a healthier environment within your home.
Two types of ventilation can help control harmful air contaminants and humidity exist, and both are important to maintaining proper, effective ventilation within your home. Spot ventilation draws air from a singular location (bathroom exhaust or kitchen range hood) and exhausts the air outside. Dilution ventilation addresses contamination throughout the home.
Spot ventilation exhaust fans should be installed in bathrooms and kitchens. These fans remove humidity and carbon monoxide along with other, localized, contaminants. When choosing an exhaust fan, ensure that the fan is quiet and durable. In order to make sure that you are using the exhaust fan effectively, make sure that the fans run for a sufficient period of time. A good rule of thumb is to run a bathroom fan for about 45 minutes after a shower. This will significantly reduce humidity in the area and retard the growth of mould and dust mites.
Dilution ventilation addresses the entire living space. Air exchanges (exchanging indoor air with outdoor air) and air cleaning help determine the effectiveness of dilution. Air exchanges result from a combination of natural ventilation (infiltration; leakage; windows) and mechanical (controlled) ventilation. Air cleaning occurs when particles are filtered and when air is dehumidified to remove moisture. The goal is to provide sufficient exchanges to ensure a healthy environment. Make sure that both your indoor and your outdoor units are positioned away from obstructions and contaminants. Using the services of a good designer will help ensure that you are installing the right air conditioning system, in the proper place for maximum effectiveness.
There are several air conditioning systems that are capable of providing proper dilution ventilation in your home. Always make sure that you discuss this with your air conditioning service provider before your purchase.
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