{"id":23415,"date":"2021-04-29T14:44:12","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T21:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=23415"},"modified":"2024-06-03T12:35:08","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T19:35:08","slug":"house-ventilation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/house-ventilation\/","title":{"rendered":"4 House Ventilation Systems for Healthier Indoor Air Quality at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may have childhood memories of your parents telling you to close the door: \u201cWe\u2019re not heating the outdoors!\u201d Despite your annoyance at their pestering, they were right \u2014 keeping doors and windows closed lowers energy bills<\/a>. However, if you only focus on keeping your house tightly sealed, your home is missing out on a crucial element: fresh air.<\/p>\n

Ventilation \u2014 the exchange of indoor and outdoor air \u2014 is vital for a healthy home. According to the Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks, indoor air contains as many as 900 chemicals<\/a> and can have 70% more pollution<\/a> than outdoor air. If your home isn\u2019t properly ventilated, indoor air quality can be up to five times worse than outdoor air quality.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not all just about air exchange,\u201d says Frank Ferrarelli, sales and marketing manager for The Geiler Company<\/a>, a fourth-generation, Cincinnati-based HVAC company. \u00a0Ventilation systems help treat the air in the house to reduce allergens, dust, pet dander, pollutants, and even viruses like COVID-19<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With insight from Ferrarelli, we\u2019ll teach you the benefits of ventilating your house and walk you through the pros and cons of different house ventilation systems.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (Alistair MacRobert \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The benefits of ventilation<\/h2>\n

As mentioned above, ventilation<\/a> is vital for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. Here are four ways ventilation systems can improve your home\u2019s environment:<\/p>\n

Reduce humidity and condensation<\/h3>\n

According to a survey from My Health My Home, 58% of homes have condensation<\/a>, the most common form of dampness in a home. As the air cools, it releases water vapor<\/a>, settling as droplets of water windows, metal door frames, and other surfaces.<\/p>\n

If unaddressed, condensation can lead to mold, which may damage wood, upholstery, carpet, and other materials in your home. Mold may also cause health issues for those with allergies and other sensitivities.<\/p>\n

Adequate ventilation reduces humidity levels in your home by removing moist air from the building. The less moisture in the air, the less condensation will occur.<\/p>\n

Alleviate health issues, such as asthma and hay fever<\/h3>\n

Damp, moldy conditions trigger asthma attacks. Humid environments are also breeding grounds for dust mites, which can cause allergic reactions<\/a> in some people, with symptoms including asthma attacks, runny nose, sneezing, eczema, itching, and watery eyes.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Ventilation systems improve airflow out of the house, preventing dust allergens from accumulating in the air. Additionally, some ventilation systems filter large particles, such as pollen, out of the air, thereby lessening hay fever symptoms and pollen or grass allergies.<\/p>\n

Reduce the effects of radon gas<\/h3>\n

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil. When the radioactive element known as Radon\u2019s Daughters attaches to dust particles, it travels in the air. If inhaled, it clings to the airways of the lung. According to the World Health Organization, Radon causes between 3% to 14% of all lung cancers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ventilation plays a key role in keeping radon gas out of your living space. Ferrarelli explains that radon mitigation involves an underground exhaust system that creates pressure underneath your home\u2019s foundation to ventilate this harmful gas.<\/p>\n

Decrease the impact of VOCs<\/h3>\n

Invisible gases known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)<\/a> come from numerous sources such as cleaning products, paint, perfume, and hairspray. Following certain activities such as cleaning and stripping paint, VOC levels could be as much as 1,000 times higher indoors than typical outdoor levels. If your home is not properly ventilated, <\/a>VOCs become trapped indoors, polluting your indoor air quality, which can cause health problems for your household.<\/p>\n

Improve your home\u2019s energy efficiency<\/h3>\n

Ventilation not only provides a healthy indoor environment but also improves energy efficiency<\/a>. High humidity levels put a strain on your air conditions, leading to higher energy bills. Ventilation <\/a>is also the least expensive and most energy-efficient way to cool a home. For hot days, you\u2019ll, of course, need to combine other methods to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.<\/p>\n

\"Ventilation<\/a>
<\/a> Source: (ronstik \/ Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Types of ventilation systems<\/h2>\n

There are several types of ventilation systems on the market. Each comes with unique pros and cons, as we\u2019ll explore below.<\/p>\n

Exhaust-only ventilation<\/h3>\n

Exhaust ventilation systems depressurize a house<\/a> to force indoor air out. By reducing indoor air pressure to a level lower than outdoor air pressure, the system pushes the inside air out.<\/p>\n

Typically, exhaust-only ventilation systems incorporate a centralized exhaust fan<\/a> in the attic that pulls air from inside the home and moves it through a vent stack on the roof.<\/p>\n

Price range:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The national average cost is $580 to $1,270<\/a> for a 24-inch whole-house fan with two speeds and an average noise rating. The house size and the number of vents required impacts the cost.<\/p>\n

Pros: <\/b><\/p>\n