Types Of Whole House Ventilation

Copyright (c) 2015 Matt Reardon

Ventilation in any home is a very important process (which has an impact on health and comfort), which involves letting in fresh air and getting rid of stale air. Air is exchanged between the indoors and outdoors, and the one inside is circulated constantly. In addition to reducing moisture levels in the air ventilation also manages to get rid of odors. There are different systems that are used in whole house ventilation:

1. Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems

This system is energy and cost efficient. The structure has ducts connected to a central heat exchange point. Cooler air filters in from outside through a vent. This vent runs counter to another that releases warmer stale air from the room or building. The incoming air is heated before being released into the room.

This system reduces heating and cooling costs, cleans the air in the home, and balances the humidity. Low humidity dries up the skin and causes sore throats during the cold season, while with high humidity, condensation occurs, encouraging mold to grow. Mold on the other hand can have devastating effects on the neural system and cause allergic reactions.

2. Energy Recovery Systems

This works like a heat recovery system, with two ducts, one to supply air into the room, the other to remove stale air. The only difference is that the energy recovery system allows moisture from the more humid air stream to be transferred to the drier air. On cold days, the stale air contains more moisture, and this is transferred to the incoming air. In summer, the incoming fresh air is more humid, so the moisture is passed on to the outgoing one. A little contact has to occur between the two streams.

3. Supply

Air supply ventilation systems also heat air. The air needs to be taken up from outside into the room, filtered, heated and diffused throughout the room. It requires quite a bit of energy for the intake.

It is generally smaller and less expensive to install. Its working is also easy to get around.

4. Exhaust

This system decompresses the air in the home. This allows air from outside to flow into the home. However, with it, may be pollutants like pollen and dust. They also don't remove moisture from the air. Indoor and outdoor mix in the process. It works best in cold environment and in homes where there are no proper vents for ventilation. It is also easy and inexpensive to install.

5. Balanced Ventilation Systems

These systems introduce and supply an equal amount of air into and out of the house. Both exhaust and supply fans are integrated in the system. Most of the time, fresh air is supplied in bedrooms, while the exhaust fans are used in areas where a lot of moisture is generated like in bathrooms.

Only an expert can determine accurately determine whichever system is appropriate. The structure of the home is usually considered in the process. At the end of the day however, proper ventilation is key not only for comfort but also for health.


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Matt Reardon works with Mould Buster, a top Australian expert in home ventilation. The firm works keenly to distribute and fit heat recovery ventilation systems. They regard this system as one of the best, and always work with the client to have it fitted in the best position in the home, logon to http://mouldbuster.com.au/whole-house-ventilation/ for additional details.