With energy costs on the rise in Colorado it is becoming more and more important to look for ways to cut down these expenses on a monthly basis. This is because home cooling and consumption strongly contributes to these energy costs, especially during warmer weather conditions that require the use of whole house fans and air conditioners. Thankfully, there's another avenue to explore: improving aeration at home. Choosing the correct method of home ventilation not only provides an opportunity to reduce the consumption of energy, but also affects the quality of air and comfort in your home.
A proper home ventilation system can help reduce costs, too, but more than that, it’s about giving you and your family a healthier living environment!
What will you learn in this blog:
In this post, we want to discuss the process of choosing the most suitable ventilation system for your home.
Understanding The Purpose Of Home Ventilation Systems
Home ventilation systems serve multiple purposes beyond simply reducing monthly energy bills and costs. Upon installation, these systems provide ongoing benefits for years to come:
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Advanced research carried out by the EPA shows that the quality of air inside buildings is two to five times worse compared to outdoor air quality. This is prevented by a ventilation system that regularly allows fresh air supply into the building, cuts down on indoor pollutants, and enhances fresh air quality beneficial to the 25 million Americans affected by asthma.
Prevention of Mold and Moisture Issues
The CDC also indicates that exposure to mold indoors can lead to respiratory issues in people or make existing conditions worse. A study that was conducted on occupants in work places (and was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene) established that proper airing cut mold spore counts and contaminated air by up to 90%.
Temperature Regulation
Heating and cooling alone take slightly above half of the mean power usage in a standard home in the United States. Through the implementation of natural circulation in summer and insulation in winter, ventilation systems can reduce the use of heating and cooling systems, reducing costs to homeowners by up to 20 percent per year.
Allergy Reduction
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America approximates that 50% or more of the American population suffers from allergies. The indoor air that circulates in a room, especially when it has a proper filter, can efficiently clear the pollen, pet dander and other allergens thus minimizing allergic, seasonal, and negative reactions for your family.
10 Tips To Consider When Choosing A Home Ventilation System
Your house needs to have proper ventilation because it plays a critical role in the living environment of Colorado homes and families. Lack of adequate ventilation means some rooms could be exposed to dampness and congestion, and unsafe irritants could accumulate inside your home. Below, we’ve assembled a list of tips that can be useful when selecting the best ventilation with a Colorado home cooling system:
Home Ventilation Options
There are hundreds of home ventilation systems with different performance levels and ventilation types. Home exhaust systems like extractor fans remove foul air or moist air from specific zones of the home, such as the kitchen and the washrooms. A whole house fan installation offers a continuous but mild rate of air exchange within the interior of the house, exchanging all of the indoor air with fresh outdoor air in as a little as 3-5 minutes.
To learn more about choosing the right whole-house fan for your home, click here.
Consider Your Home’s Natural Ventilation
As mentioned earlier, natural ventilation is the least expensive technique available and is used in many buildings to suffice the needed airflow. However, in the state of more contemporary, more efficient constructions where windows and home structures are much more airtight, natural ventilation may not suffice to control moisture or pollutants.
Plan Your Budget
The cost of ventilation systems differ with the type of the system that is to be used. However, when moving to an installation of attic fans, whole house fans, attic vents, and more (not to mention maintenance costs), care should be taken not to opt for the wrong system that may cost you more in the long run. For instance, one can help reduce the likelihood of getting condensation and damp portions of the attic through proper installation of an appropriate ventilation system, which will be cheaper than repairing the effects of damage later.
If Self-Building, Make Ventilation Part of the Plan
If you are someone that likes to DIY or has building experience, ensure that you plan for the incorporation of attic and garage ventilation systems right from the design stage. This is because when incorporated at the design stage it is easier to comply with building codes and local regulations, and is always easier than retrofitting systems post installation.
Check if You Are in a Radon-Affected Area
Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring (but potentially deadly) radioactive gas that increases the rates of lung cancer when inhaled. In areas with radon, it is recommended that you install a radon sump, under-floor ventilation or positive input ventilation (PIV) to reduce the tendencies of radon. In Colorado, about half of all homes have radon levels higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).
Do You Need Extractor Fans?
Extractor fans are required in bathrooms and kitchens, but also work in mud rooms, utility rooms, basements, and loft conversions. Decide on how you would rather control them, either manually through the switch or light switches, or even with a humidistat for automated operation.
Think About Noise
Home ventilation systems and extractor fans may be noisy, which may be an issue if the ventilation system is on permanently or the fan in the bathroom activates with the light. Low-noise whole house fans, attic fans, and ACs can be selected as specific models focus on quieter operation and efficiency.
Do You Want to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?
Whether paying out of pocket or taking advantage of Colorado home energy rebates, proper whole-house ventilation removes contaminated, unhealthy or mold-laden air and brings in clean, fresh air from the outside through intake sources. Removing super heated air from your home and attic also cuts down on the need to use air conditioning as often.
Where Will You Place the Units?
Check that the extractor fan and vents are located in the proper location, and that intake vents are as far from sources of contamination as possible. If you are unsure of the correct placement of home ventilation solutions, contact a professional who can offer you a free consultation and examination of your home.
Look for a Reputable Company
Companies with a good history of home ventilation installations, as well as positive customer reviews should be able to answer all questions according to the specific needs of your home.
Colorado Home Services can offer you whole-house fan installations, attic fans, and home exhaust systems services. We help you secure the correct system for your requirements because we are a locally owned, experienced company from Colorado!
How Does a Proper Ventilation System Work?
When hot, contaminated, or moisture-laden air comes into contact with a cold surface, condensation occurs. Without proper ventilation, condensation can accumulate in your attic, roof space, and even on your ceilings, leading to significant damage and contamination.
Proper home ventilation occurs through the use of intake vents and their corresponding exhaust vents that allow your home to “breathe” via the exchange of hot, stuffy-conditioned air for new, fresh air from outside. Correct arrangement of vents is optimal for enhancing the condition and internal environment of your home.
Intake Vents: Fresh air comes in through the intake vents that are installed at the points of your roof.
Air Expansion and Rising: As the outdoor air warms, it rises to the interior of your home and attic, where vents (and potential whole house and attic fans) are located.
Exhaust Vents: The hot, trapped air then has to be expelled at the highest point of the roof through the exhaust vents. This circulation of fresh air occurs during this cycle.
Improved Air Quality: This process effectively provides a continuous supply of fresh air so that there is no dampness or stale air. Hot air is also expelled from the area, resulting in cooler temperatures in your home.
Insulation: Prevents the free circulation of hot air, retains the newly conditioned air, and makes the environment airtight. At the same time, this also helps retain a comfortable temperature now that the bad air has been replaced!
Different Types of Home Ventilation Systems
There are several methods through which proper home ventilation can happen in Colorado homes. The right choice will depend on the style of your home and the general needs that you have regarding the issue of ventilation. Now, let’s walk through the actual types of home ventilation systems available:
Natural Ventilation Systems
Particular features of the house structure enable the fresh air to get in while at the same time allowing the stale air to go out. This technique entails the design and creation of a solar chimney in which solar-heated air is lighter and rises from the vents at the roof level. This particular activity reduces the internal air pressure in the dwelling, allowing fresh air to flow through vents installed at strategically in your home.
Balanced Ventilation System
Positive input and negative exhaust ventilation means the rate at which fresh air is brought into the house is the same rate as the old air being pushed out; the house is not pressurized or depressurized.
Passive Systems
These depend on passive operation that includes the windows, vents, and roof vents for the admitted and expelled fresh air.
Mechanical Systems
Choosing the appropriate speed of air flow is done by using fans or blowers to control the air exchange rate. In this way, the mechanical ventilation systems help maintain the flow of air in the building and, many times, directs it through ducts to particular parts of the house.
However, mechanical ventilation systems may have several drawbacks:
They are relatively costly when it comes to installation and maintenance, respectively.
They use a lot of energy; hence, they are not eco-friendly or low cost.
They can be rather noisy, causing the interruption of work or other activities.
Therefore, a moderate passive ventilation system may be most appropriate; it will provide the necessary ventilation needed for your home, but has fewer drawbacks of a mechanical ventilation system.
Balanced Ventilation with Heat Recovery
This system features two fans placed next to each other: One sucks fresh air into the building while the other expels the stale air out of the building. Think of this like tug-of-war. Some of the heat produced by the heat exchanger is transferred to the cool external air through an air-to-air exchange system that is made possible by the fans’ configuration. This is suitable for houses built in regions that experience extremely low temperatures or massive temperature swings (ie Colorado).
Conclusion
It cannot be overstated that the selection of the proper home ventilation system is vital for yoru home occupants’ health, as well as comfort. Using natural convection, a balanced ventilation system, or improving the efficiency of heat dissipation via a whole house and attic fan system, it is possible to have a noticeable difference in air quality and energy usage. At Colorado Home Services, we understand that each family and home needs a ventilation solution for their unique situation.
If you are thinking upgrading or improving the ventilation system in your home, contact us to find out how we can enrich your home’s indoor climate and improve air quality for your entire family.
FAQs
What is the best type of ventilation for a house?(H3)
Balanced ventilation systems stand out as the best choice for the best home ventilation. They maintain equilibrium by introducing and expelling equal amounts of fresh outdoor air and indoor pollutants, ensuring optimal indoor air quality and comfort.
How do I choose a ventilation system?(H3)
When choosing a home ventilation system, start by assessing your home's size and identifying areas that need ventilation. This guides you in selecting the system's capacity and type. Also, factor in your local climate, building codes, and HOA restrictions as it may impact your ventilation needs.
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