How Ventilators Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Feb 05, 2010
Install Ventilators to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Back when energy was cheap, many U.S. homes were not insulated or weatherized. Homeowners didn’t need to worry about indoor/outdoor air exchange. Plenty of fresh air seeped into older homes through unsealed windows, doors, chimneys and roofs. Back then, homeowners didn’t have to worry about stale air, humidity buildup or sick homes. And when the house felt cold and drafty, homeowners just cranked the furnace up another notch.
Over the last few decades, as energy costs climbed steadily, the need for more energy-efficient homes drove development of products and building techniques designed to prevent heat loss. Insulation products and weatherization practices allowed builders to create homes that were so well insulated that indoor/outdoor air exchange was practically zero. It wasn’t until families started getting sick that people realized a certain amount of air exchange is healthy for humans – and houses.
Not only did super-weatherized homes trap cold and flu germs inside where they could infect and reinfect families, these well-sealed homes didn’t allow the safe dissipation of chemical vapors emitted by building materials, household cleaners and other things we use everyday. In homes with little air exchange, these vapors could build to unhealthy levels. Another unexpected consequence was the build-up of excess humidity, promoting mold and bacteria growth. Sweating windows also rotted window frames and played havoc with paint and wallpaper. Families feared they were sacrificing their health for energy efficiency.
Ventilators Draw Fresh Air In, Then Distribute Air Through The Home
The solution was simple. Heating and cooling professionals started installing ventilators to draw fresh air into homes and expel stale air and excess humidity. Ventilators draw fresh air in through a filter, heat or cool the air, then distribute it through the home. Indoor air stays fresh and warm or cool while stale, humid air is expelled. Homeowners now enjoy the best of both worlds. Safe, fresh, well-ventilated air and energy-efficient homes.
Are you worried about the air you breathe in your home? Find out if your home's air is polluted with a simple diagnostic test called the AirAdvice™ Indoor Air Analysis. Register with us online today!