The Benefits Of Having A Good Home Ventilation System

Copyright (c) 2015 Matt Reardon

Condensation, mildew and mould thrive in many poorly ventilated homes, leading to incidences of asthma and several other respiratory illnesses. When you have a cold and damp house, you and your loved ones are prone to ill health and hence the need to have a good ventilation system for your home.

In Australia, when planning for a ventilation system for the house, there are several building code requirements which you should be aware of. For example, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) stipulates that you ought to have windows which equal in size to at 10 per cent of the house floor space.

The best way of fighting excessive humidity in your home is by installing a properly designed ventilation system. Specifically, whole-house fans and exhaust fans are the most excellent method of handling humidity buildup.

Powered ventilation systems are in most cases better than most natural systems because they actively get rid of humidity in the air while it is being drawn into the house. Ideally, you ought to try to maintain the humidity levels within the home between 35 per cent and 45 per cent. This is generally the level at which your family will be most comfortable while at the same time avoiding any potential health issues triggered by mould, rot and mildew.

Generally, a good home ventilation system will:

• Reduce air condensation and incidences of weeping windows.

• Reduce mould and mildew spores.

• Provide you with a dry home requiring lesser energy to heat.

• Promote security because you will not be forced to leave doors and windows open to bring in air.

• Get rid of dust particles, pollens and any other allergens present in the air.

• Deliver air that drier, fresher and healthier into your home.

Ventilation Types

The most effective method of combating musty smells, condensation and mould is by utilizing a good quality ventilation system. Excessive humidity in your home may lead to a heavy buildup of moisture in the walls, and potentially to rot, mould and even pest infestations. Generally, moisture will tend to collect in enclosed areas and corners of your home plus near windows, and begin to eat away at the plasterboard and timber in your walls.

If you choose to go for a mechanically ventilated system, you need to make sure that the ventilation unit and the installation is in compliance with Australian Standard (AS) 3666.1 which addresses building water systems and air handling for microbial control.

You may choose from several ventilation types for your home, although the main ones are:

1. Exhaust Fans

If your main area of ventilation is the kitchen or the bathroom, then exhaust fans are your best option. They are designed for forcibly removing odour and steam from these areas. They operate through sucking air from any localized area in your home into an air vent and then transporting that warm and humid air outdoors via a duct.

2. Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)

Energy Recovery Ventilators, also known as ERVs may perhaps be best described as the ventilation method equivalent of air conditioners operating in reverse cycle. This is because they could be effective for both heating and cooling a space. ERVs capture moisture contained in the air getting exhausted and then transfer it to air that is incoming so as to moderate the humidity plus the temperature in your home.

3. Foundation Vents

If under your home there is a crawlspace that experiences frequent moisture builds up, then foundation vents may be the way out. Moisture that is trapped in beneath your floor crawl spaces could result in house instability, mould, rot and termites.


----------------------------------------------------
MouldBuster are a reputable home improvement Company. Matt Reardon is very experienced in handling ventilation systems. When you visit MouldBuster, he will be ready to assist you to select the best ventilation system for your home. You can also visit our website at http://mouldbuster.com.au for additional details.