Whole Home Ventilation Systems: Breathe Easy in Every Season

Today, we’re diving into the world of whole home ventilation systems and how they can make a significant difference in your living space. Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Ugh, another boring topic,” stick with me! Trust me when I say that understanding ventilation systems can truly improve your home’s comfort and air quality and most importantly your health. So, let’s get started!

First things first, what exactly is a ventilation system? Well, in a nutshell, it’s a system that helps circulate fresh air throughout your home, while simultaneously removing stale air, excess moisture, and pollutants. Think of it as an invisible superhero that saves the day by keeping your indoor air clean and fresh. Exciting, right?

Now, let’s talk about why you should care about ventilation systems. Picture this scenario: it’s a scorching summer day, and you’re trying to escape the unbearable heat by staying indoors. But wait, your home feels stuffy and humid, even with the air conditioning running full blast. Enter ventilation systems! They help remove the hot and humid air trapped inside, allowing fresh air to flow in and cool your home. It’s like a mini tropical breeze in your living room!

But ventilation systems aren’t just for summer. Oh no, they’re useful year-round! During the cooler months, they help control excess moisture and prevent the buildup of indoor pollutants. Say goodbye to mold and mildew, and hello to a healthier living environment. Plus, proper ventilation can also reduce condensation on windows, saving you from tedious wiping sessions and potential damage to your window frames.

Now, let’s explore the three most common types of ventilation in homes. They are

• Positive pressure ventilation systems
• Balanced pressure ventilation systems
• Natural ventilation

Positive pressure ventilation systems

Positive pressure ventilation systems bring filtered air from the attic space into the house.  The stale moist air in the room is then removed from the house by exiting via small cracks or gaps in the building such as around window frames and under doors. These systems require more expensive filters to ensure that any dust from insulation is not introduced into the home.

While these systems work OK in older homes, if you have a house built in the last 20 years (since about year 2000 in New Zealand), your only effective option is a balanced pressure ventilation system. Keep reading.

Balanced pressure ventilation systems

Balanced pressure ventilation systems bring fresh air into the home from outside and at the same time remove stale, damp air.  The gold standard is a balanced pressure system with energy exchange so as the stale air is removed, most of its heat is kept and transferred to the fresh air being brought into the home.   This works in a similar way to blowing warm air from your mouth into a rolled up tube of paper. The air goes through the tube, but your hand holding the paper will feel some of that heat going through the paper.

While a big motivation for installing one of these systems is to get rid of condensation on windows (crying windows), the huge unsung benefit is really the health benefit for the occupants of the home. Stale air in a home not only contains moisture, but other volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). This is a fancy way of saying “chemicals that have de-gassed out of things that you have in your house”. Common products that create VOC’s include carpets, paint, mattresses, couches and soft furnishings, particularly when they are new. If you have a balanced pressure ventilation system you are constantly replacing the stale air with fresh filtered air and keeping the concentrations of these nasties nice and low. Fresh air improves sleep. Good sleep improves life.

Natural ventilation

We’re all familiar with natural ventilation. It’s simple. You open the door and let the fresh air in and the stale air out! While it’s somwhat effective at changing the air in a room or home there are a couple of huge disadvantages. 1. The fresh air is unfiltered. 2. you lose all the heat from your room (winter) or add a whole of heat you don’t want into the room (summer). As our housing density increases and our busier roads get closer to our homes, continuing to rely on the old “kiwi” way of natural ventilation doesn’t have the best outcomes.

Building a new home? Think Balanced Pressure Ventilation

Just do it! Add a whole home ventilation system to a home is when it is being built. Save time and money, breath fresh air all night. You probably won’t see whole home ventilation included in the plans from your architect/designer. Sadly, it is not yet a requirement of the NZ Building Code. But it is important. New homes are so well sealed these days. Without adequate ventilation they can sweat and still have moisture and mould issues. In fact it’s more common than you might imagine. New builds need a balanced pressure system such as a Lossnay. Always consult with a professional to get a system suited to your house’s unique design and site positioning.

Adding Whole Home Ventilation to an Existing Build?

The solution depends on age of house and budget. Balanced pressure is always better, but for an older house a positive pressure system is certainly better than none.

Before you embark on any ventilation system project, it’s essential to consult with a professional. They can assess your home’s specific needs and guide you towards the right system for your space and budget. Remember, proper installation and maintenance are key to enjoying all the benefits of a well-ventilated home for years to come.

Summary

While ventilation systems might not be the flashiest topic, they certainly deserve our attention. They improve air quality, reduce humidity, and enhance overall comfort. Whole home ventilation systems are the unsung heroes of home comfort and health. So, why not give them a chance to revolutionize your living environment.