A whole-house ventilation system is an important part of any home. It helps keep your indoor air quality high and can help improve your energy efficiency. In this blog post, Poston Brothers will discuss what a whole-house ventilation system is, how it works, and some reasons why you may need one. We will also cover the different types of whole-house ventilation systems that are available on the market today.
What Is a Whole-House Ventilation System?
Most people are familiar with the basic concept of ventilation – it’s just a way of moving air around, right? A whole-house ventilation system is a key component to ensuring your home receives proper ventilation with a supply of fresh air while exhausting indoor air.
A whole-home ventilation system provides a way to supply incoming air to the home and for stale air to be exhausted. The system is made up of fans, vents, and ducts that work together to exchange indoor and outdoor air. As it operates, the fan draws fresh air into the ductwork and circulates it to the home’s living areas, which exhaust air out through the vents.
The work done by a whole-house ventilation system ensures a fresh stream of clean and healthy air round the clock. Their use can help you improve the indoor air quality in your home by removing pollutants and controlling humidity levels, and helping your heating and cooling systems operate more efficiently throughout the year. A whole-house ventilation system can be used in conjunction with other HVAC systems, such as furnaces and air conditioners, to further improve the home’s indoor comfort conditions.
Could Your Home Benefit from Better Ventilation?
Proper ventilation is essential for great comfort in any home. However, many homes do not have adequate ventilation, and as a result, households can suffer from a variety of problems.
According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), 35 percent of the home’s total air volume should be changed over each hour. If you’re not sure if your home is receiving adequate air changes and lacks sufficient ventilation, here are a few key signs to look for.
- Condensation and moisture on windows and other surfaces
- The home feels stuffy and humid
- Mold growth in the home
- Odors tend to linger indoors
- Excessive dust accumulation
- Poor airflow throughout the house
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining comfortable temperatures
- Those with allergies or asthma experience more symptoms indoors
- Household members experience headaches or cold-like symptoms at home
Types of Whole House Ventilation Systems
There are several types of whole-house ventilation systems that can be used to improve the air flow in your home and put a stop to the problems mentioned above. The four main types of whole-house ventilation systems include:
- Exhaust: Exhaust ventilation systems for your entire house use exhaust fans to depressurize the home. By doing so, the system pushes the home’s existing air out of the structure. Fresh air makes its way into the residence through passive vents and air leaks throughout the home.
- Supply: Supply systems have a fan that pressurizes the home to force fresh air from outdoors into the home. The existing air supply is then pushed out of the structure through air leaks, range hood ducts, and vents.
- Balanced: Balanced ventilation systems have a supply fan and exhaust system fan as well as two duct systems to equally exhaust stale indoor air and supply fresh air.
- Energy Recovery: An energy recovery whole-house ventilation system uses special equipment to capture energy as it exhausts stale air and uses that energy to condition the fresh air brought into the home.
Is a Whole House Ventilation System Right for You?
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned in your home, you may benefit from having exhaust or supply systems installed. Call Poston Brothers Heating & Cooling today to request an estimate on a whole-house ventilation system.