Ventilation is essential for home comfort. Good ventilation prevents a home from becoming a place of static air, where pollutants can build up, affecting your and your family’s health. Good ventilation keeps the air fresh and provides a healthy indoor environment by controlling how much moisture persists in the home.
This article by Artilux Retrectable Fly Screens explains why ventilation in the home is so important and the various strategies for ventilating your home effectively.
What is home ventilation?
Home ventilation refers to the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. All homes require ventilation to maintain good indoor quality. A home ventilation system intentionally introduces outdoor air to increase oxygen levels and dilute and displace carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants. Home ventilation is crucial because it:
1. Maintains indoor air quality
Each year, 3.2 million people die prematurely from illnesses attributed to household air pollution. Tiny particles and other pollutants in household air can inflame the airways and lungs, impair immune responses, and reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Common health problems that result from exposure to poor household air quality can include sensory and skin irritation, neurotoxic symptoms, hypersensitivity, odour and taste symptoms, and exposure to viruses. For allergy sufferers, indoor air pollution can be an invisible enemy, with pollen, mites, dust, and molds aggravating symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
2. Enhances comfort, wellbeing and productivity
Home ventilation can significantly increase the comfort of your home by providing access to a natural cooling source. Home ventilation produces a healthy indoor air quality, which supports your wellbeing by providing a pleasant and breathable environment. Good indoor air quality reduces fatigue, promotes concentration and productivity, helps improve attention and memory, and can lower stress. Research also suggests that circulating fresh air in the bedroom promotes better sleep.
3. Promotes energy efficiency
The easiest and cheapest way to ventilate your home is to open up your windows and doors. Opening doors and windows at opposite sides of your house for cross-ventilation can allow you to take advantage of the cooling breezes. Natural ventilation such as cross-ventilation doesn’t consume a lot of energy, so it has minimal carbon emissions. That’s good news for your budget and the environment, plus it keeps your home cool in those summer months.
4. Prolong the life of your home
Build-up of condensation, particularly in the areas of your home that can’t be seen, can have a damaging effect on health, and a costly impact on structural elements. Ventilation can extract moisture away, preventing water from accumulating, which can cause corrosion, decay, and mould. Protecting your home from dampness and mold can ensure the maintenance of your property’s value for years to come.
How to ventilate your home effectively
If it’s safe, open doors and windows as much as possible to bring in fresh, outdoor air. Opening them as widely as possible will optimise the outdoor air, and opening multiple doors and windows will allow more fresh air to move inside. If it’s not safe (eg you have young children, pets, a risk of falling, or flies and mosquitoes), consider one of these other ventilation options.
1. Install Retractable fly screens
Retractable fly screens can be installed on windows and doors and are made from a roll of mesh housed within a cassette, much like a roller blind. Retractable fly screens can be pulled into use whenever there are cooling breezes to take advantage of, allowing for good ventilation without flies and mosquitoes. Retractable fly screens allow you to open your doors and windows, knowing that you can safely ventilate your home.
2. Exhaust fans in high-moisture areas
Installing an exhaust fan is one of the most effective ways to prevent moisture build-up in your home. Areas to pay attention to include kitchens, laundries, bathrooms, and subfloors, where moisture can wreak havoc. For best results in removing moisture, the exhaust fan should be positioned as close as possible to the source of the moisture and away from any source of replacement air.
3. Mechanical ventilation systems, such as HVAC
The main purpose of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems is to help maintain good indoor air quality while providing thermal comfort. You can ensure your home receives a constant flow of clean, cool air to replace stale, warm, and humid air through mechanical ventilation. These systems are, however, a major contributor to your home’s energy use and operating costs. If relying on mechanical ventilation, we recommend HVAC optimisation, which can reduce your energy bills and ensure you get the most from your mechanical system.
4. Regular maintenance
Whether you opt for retractable screens, exhaust fans, or a HVAC system, regular maintenance will ensure you maintain adequate ventilation in the home. Make checking your ventilation systems part of your home maintenance checklist and easily navigate your home’s upkeep.
Warning signs of poor ventilation
There are a number of signs that indicate a home has poor ventilation, and they’re important to look out for. Signs include:
- High humidity levels or heat that doesn’t dissipate
- Persistent odours
- Frequent illness or respiratory problems among occupants
- Visible mould and mildew
- Windows and glass that appear frosted due to condensation
- Discolouration of floor, wall tiles, and grout
- Rust stains on plumbing
If you notice any of these, make a plan to improve ventilation. Spot ventilation will target a specific source, dilution will supply and exhaust large amounts of air, and natural ventilation will take advantage of ambient temperature and wind. Combine all three for a healthy home.
Ready to improve your home’s ventilation the eco-friendly, natural, and cost-effective way? Get started with retractable screens from Artilux. Elevate your living space and contact us today for a free on-site consultation.
