The Importance of Home Ventilation

How important is good home ventilation really?  Well, did you know that you breathe in roughly 12,000 litres of air a day?  Did you also know that fresh air is good for digestion, it improves your blood pressure and heart rate, it makes you happier, strengthens your immune system, cleans your lungs, and gives you energy and a sharp mind?

With so many benefits, it goes without saying that the air we breathe should be as pure and free of pollutants as possible.

If you are faced with bad smells, smoke or cooking odours in your home?  Or maybe you have a musty smell you can’t get rid of, or condensation building up on your windows?  It could be the result of poor ventilation.  In the same way, if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis or allergies, poor ventilation may be contributing to these. 

What is Ventilation and Why is it Important?

Air moves into, out of and around the inside of your home because of differences in air pressure. If the pressure inside your home is lower than it is outside your home it is under negative pressure. In this case outdoor air moves into the house. If the pressure inside your home is higher than outside your home it is under positive pressure and air moves out. Why is this important? Air pressure differences control the way air moves in and out of your home, and from room to room inside your home.

One of the reasons you hear so much about ventilation in your home is due to improvements in modern building techniques and standards. Older homes were not built to within mm variances, they had gaps, cracks and holes through which air could enter and leave the home, based on the changes in air pressue.

While this seems great for ventilation, it is not so great for keeping your home cool in summer and warm in winter, and not great for the modern day costs of doing so! So, with modern building innovations, comes the need to consider less natural means of allowing air to move in and out of your home.

Good ventilation has a number of benefits. Aside from the health benefits noted earlier, good ventilation protects your home against excess moisture. An excess of moisture in your home can lead to early home improvements, such as repairing rotting window sills, or repainting peeling paint. It can also invite insect infestation, as well as the growth of mould or mildew, which can create that musty smell in your home, as well as leading to a number of nasty health concerns.

Tips to Improve Home Ventilation

Vent your home and not your frustrations by following these helpful tips to effectively increase airflow and improve ventilation.

• Open doors and windows to increase airflow where possible and practical.
• Ceiling fans help to increase natural airflow so investing in one could be a good idea and a great way to circulate air in your home.
• Make sure you are using an extractor fan above your kitchen stove top to help remove cooking odours and prevent these odours from lingering in your home. Remember to clean these fans and filters regularly.
• An exhaust system in any wet area is a must to make sure that moist air is being removed. This includes the laundry, and most importantly, the bathroom. Consider installing a 3-in-1 heater, light and exhaust system in your bathroom.

• Air conditioners recycle existing air from a space, so if you are using an air conditioner, it is a good idea to “crack” a window just a little nearby, so that fresh air can be drawn into the air conditioner. This is good for the air conditioning components, as well as helping the air conditioner circulate some fresh air.

How do I Know if my Home is Well Ventilated?

It’s a good idea to start by asking yourself the following questions:

• Is my home free of lingering odours?
• Are my windows free of condensation?
• Is my stove fan vented to the outdoors?
• Is there an exhaust fan in each bathroom?
• Do I have any health concerns that become worse when there is more moisture in the air?
• Does my home require repairs or maintenance due to moisture deterioration?

There are a range of ways of ventilating your home. Natural ventilation is always a great idea, but in modern day homes, it is not always practical. In this case, it is always worth speaking with your electrician about more mechanical methods of keeping your home well ventilated.

Australian Building Standards will also dictate the need for ventilation, so it is always a good idea to consult here and with your builder or electrician on ventilation requirements before commencing any build or renovation.

If mechanical ventilation is a preference, or something you are required to install, Rovert Lighting & Electrical can help you with a range of ventilation products.