Ventilation Systems and Their Role in Improving Indoor Air Quality
High-quality indoor air is essential for sustaining a healthy and comfortable living environment. The air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This issue can quickly impact your respiratory health and general well-being. Dozens of credible studies have shown that poor air quality in homes is linked to multiple respiratory ailments such as asthma, allergies, and other long-term complications.
The following sections will explore how your home’s ventilation system helps mitigate indoor air pollution to support a safe breathing environment. We’ll demonstrate how home venting solutions can substantially improve indoor air quality while enabling an optimally comfortable and healthy living space.
What Are Ventilation Systems and How Do They Work?
Home ventilation systems allow you to exchange stale indoor air with fresh air from outside. These systems are crucial for reducing air contaminants and balancing humidity. There are multiple different ventilation system types.
Let’s examine a few of the most common solutions you’re likely to encounter below.
Exhaust Ventilation Systems
Home venting technologies that expel indoor air outside with fans are known as exhaust ventilation systems. This option can rely on single or multiple fans. They operate by creating negative pressure inside buildings. This pressure, in turn, draws the fresh air in through passive vents or other openings within the structure.
Supply Ventilation Systems
This type of ventilation system pulls in outdoor air and sends it inside the building using positive pressure. This force pushes indoor contaminants out through exhaust vents, windows, and other unsealed areas within the dwelling. These systems are most commonly found in larger spaces where they’re the most effective.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs)
ERVs and HRVs are responsible for ventilating buildings, but they also transfer heat and moisture between the outgoing stale air and incoming fresh air. These systems offer a highly energy-efficient ventilation solution. They retain as much as 80% of the energy that would otherwise be lost in the two simple ventilation methods discussed above.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants Ventilators Help Mitigate
Indoor air pollution can be ubiquitous in poorly ventilated structures. Given how much time the average citizen spends indoors, this problem has only become more concerning in recent decades. Even moderate exposure to contaminated indoor air can contribute to myriad health concerns, including respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and, in some instances, even cancer.
Indoor air quality issues are, of course, attributable to several common indoor pollution sources that release gases and particles into the atmosphere. These elements are most prevalent in areas that lack sufficient ventilation due to the lack of emissions that would otherwise dilute the air.
Here are a few of the most common sources of indoor air pollution.
Dust and Allergens
Dust and allergens are virtually everywhere. They’re among the most frequent types of indoor air pollutants people encounter. Unfortunately, they can trigger allergy systems and asthma attacks, causing significant discomfort in many. These minuscule particles usually originate in household dust, pet dander, pollen, and insect debris. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation estimates that roughly 40 million U.S. Americans battle some form of allergy disease.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Chemicals emitted as gases from either a solid or liquid are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The typical sources for these gases include household and industrial products like paints, varnishes, cleaning supplies, and certain building materials. The EPA found that VOC concentrations can be as much as 10 times higher indoors. Inhaling these contaminants can produce headaches, eye irritation, and other long-term health issues.
Mold and Mildew Spores
Mold and mildew require a damp environment to flourish. Both can cause respiratory problems that exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that controlling indoor moisture levels through methods like ventilation is essential for reducing indoor mold growth.
Carbon Monoxide and Radon
Carbon monoxide presents as a colorless, odorless gas that comes from burning gas, coal, wood, and other fuel types. Inhaling this toxin in high quantities can lead to poisoning and potentially death. Like carbon monoxide, radon is an invisible threat that’s also radioactive. In many countries, radon, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the second-leading contributor to lung cancer after smoking.
All the pollutants above can be pervasive in indoor spaces, especially if they’re poorly ventilated. With Americans spending nearly 90% of their time indoors, where air contaminants are significantly higher, home ventilation systems have become increasingly vital for mitigating this issue.
How Proper Ventilation Minimizes Air Contaminants
Controlling air pollution and optimizing air quality requires ample ventilation along with a proactive attempt to reduce the potential sources of pollution in your environment. Simple strategies like opening your windows often, vacuuming frequently, and storing household chemicals can go a long way in reducing indoor air impurities. With that aside, a well-functioning home ventilation solution is undoubtedly your best resource for mitigating air pollution inside your home.
A reliable ventilator enhances your indoor air quality in the following ways.
Lowers Indoor Air Moisture Content
Ventilating your home reduces moisture buildup due to the continuous exchange between indoor and outdoor air. Humid environments invite mold and mildew growth that can exacerbate certain respiratory issues. The ability to control the moisture content in your home with a ventilation system can make your living environment more comfortable while reducing the risk of mold and its associated health problems.
Reduces Air Contaminants
While many ventilation systems don’t eliminate indoor air contaminants alone, they can dilute the air and significantly reduce pollutants. These systems target VOCs from toxic household products to other gases from your fuel-burning appliances by introducing fresh air into your indoor environment. The outside air reduces the concentration of these harmful substances to support healthy breathing.
Enhances Air Circulation
A steady supply of fresh outdoor air entering your home prevents stagnation and the accumulation of stale air, potentially harmful contaminants, and foul odors. A well-circulated house, therefore, lets you enjoy a fresher and more pleasant indoor atmosphere.
Deploys Filtration Solutions
The more advanced ventilation systems deploy high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to trap airborne particles. A true HEPA filter will capture 99.97% of particulates as small as 0.3 microns. The filter is considerably more efficient than the standard solutions discoverable on most residential HVAC units. A ventilation system with a high-efficiency filter like this can significantly improve indoor air quality.
Well-Ventilated Homes Give You Better Air Quality
When it comes to enhancing indoor air quality, your home’s ventilation system is indispensable. The solution helps reduce contaminants and improve air circulation. Some systems even leverage advanced filtration systems for optimally purified air. At Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning, our fully licensed and NATE-certified technicians let Seattle residents leverage their 20 years of service in the Pacific Northwest to deliver premium indoor air quality solutions. We also provide our valued Seattle customers with expert HVAC and electrical services. Let us help you by putting our knowledge and experience to work!
For more on improving indoor air quality at your home through better ventilation or to schedule an electrical service, contact one of our specialists at Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning today!