Adequate ventilation and airflow in a home is of paramount importance, not only for your family’s health but for the health of your house. From reducing condensation to filtering out allergens, there are many benefits of proper ventilation of your HVAC system. With 90 percent of people spending their time indoors, it makes sense that indoor air quality is critical to your well-being.
There are many factors that influence indoor air quality, from the air exchange rate and outdoor climate to weather conditions and occupant behavior. The bottom line is, good home ventilation helps to combat these health risks while protecting your home. Let’s take a look at the importance of ventilation in Michigan homes.
Proper ventilation… Reduces Condensation
When humid air cools quickly and is no longer able to contain the water vapor, condensation occurs. This is when all that moisture heads to the coldest surface around and forms water droplets on windows and walls. If you don’t control the moisture inside your home, that condensation can lead to peeling wallpaper, the formation of mold and mildew, and even structural damage. Good ventilation regulates temperature and controls moisture levels.
Lowers Concentrations of Radon Gas
Radon gas – a colorless and odorless gas formed by the decay of uranium in soil and rocks – has been known to cause lung cancer, according to the World Health Organization. If your home is located near a mine, water treatment facility, or cave, radon gas can get trapped without adequate ventilation. This results in spikes in concentrations of this gas. Adequate ventilation can return radon gas concentrations to healthier levels.
Decreases VOC Concentrations
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs for short, are emissions from household furnishings and chemicals that are toxic in high doses. It’s important to store chemicals properly in order to reduce VOC concentrations, as well as maintain adequate ventilation to control these levels, as you can’t eliminate VOCs from indoor air.
Filters Out Allergens
Allergens like dust, pollen, and other irritants can get trapped inside of your home with improper ventilation. Proper ventilation helps to remove large particles of allergens from the air, reducing allergy symptoms and increasing the comfort of allergy sufferers.
Protects Respiratory Health and Prevents Asthma
Damp, moldy conditions can cause the development of asthma and other respiratory conditions. Damp conditions also encourage the survival of dust mites, which can cause eczema, itching, and respiratory problems. Good ventilation will supply occupants of the home with plenty of fresh air.
Reduces Backdrafting Risks
Your home has negative pressure when the pressure inside is lower than the pressure outside. In this case, outdoor air gets drawn into the home, a process known as backdrafting. This can quickly turn dangerous when combustion gases are pulled back up into a chimney and become concentrated within the home. Ventilation controls the pressure inside your home so this does not occur.
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