31/03/2022
Ventilation of the home
Ventilation of the home is important if you want a healthy indoor climate and avoid moisture damage. The home can be ventilated mechanically, naturally or in both ways
What types of ventilation are there in homes?
Ventilation is the same as replacing or moving air. In homes, ventilation is synonymous with the air in the home being replaced - and often with air coming from outside. Ventilation of homes can in principle take place in 3 different ways, namely with:
1. Natural ventilation.
2. Mechanical ventilation.
3. Balanced mechanical ventilation.Naturlig ventilation
Natural ventilation is ventilation of the home, which takes place by opening windows and doors or through air valves. Air valves can be slide and slit valves, which are normally mounted in window frames, or poppet and flap valves, which are mounted in the outer walls. Natural ventilation can also occur unintentionally through cracks and leaks in the home.
Natural ventilation can also be a calculated ventilation using ducts in the outer walls where the air moves depending on the solar heat. This type of natural ventilation is mainly used in larger office buildings.
Mechanical
Mechanical ventilation is ventilation or venting of the home, which takes place by means of an electric fan. The ventilation system sucks out "polluted" air. With simple mechanical ventilation, it is important to ensure that the home is supplied with fresh air, which can come from fresh air valves in either window sills or exterior walls. It must also be possible for air to come between the rooms, for example under doors.
Balanced mechanical ventilation
Balanced mechanical ventilation ensures ventilation from the bath, utility room and extractor fan, while fresh air is supplied to the home from fresh air supply in the living room. In newer homes, there will often be a larger mechanical ventilation system. The reason why it is called balanced is that the system ensures that there is a balance between the amount of fresh air that is sucked in and the amount of used air that is blown out.
In new, airtight homes or older homes that have been re-insulated and sealed, you can choose to have a larger, balanced ventilation system with heat recovery. The system automatically replaces the air, so you have a good indoor climate. At the same time, the system recycles the heat in the air that is sucked out, so you do not waste heat on venting. There is only a very small heat loss on the replacement of the air.
In homes with balanced ventilation systems, there is in principle no need for ventilation, as the system provides the necessary replacement of the air.
Why is ventilation important?
You pollute the indoor air when you stay in the home and do everyday things. The air is polluted, for example, with smoke and particles when you cook and light candles. Moisture gets in the air when you bathe, wash clothes, water plants, etc. Even when you sleep, you pollute the air as the content of carbon dioxide and moisture in the air increases when you breathe.
It is important that the air in the home is regularly replaced with fresh air. If the home is not regularly ventilated, the indoor air will feel heavy and stuffy. Bad indoor air can i.a. cause headaches, fatigue, coughing, difficulty concentrating and irritated eyes.
If the air becomes too humid, the risk of mold growth increases. If the indoor air is too humid for a long time, there may also be moisture and rot damage to the building's materials and in constructions.
How big is the need for ventilation?
Many homes have a mechanical exhaust system in the bathroom and a hood in the kitchen, but this is not enough to ensure that the air in the home is adequately replaced. Therefore, in most homes it is necessary to supplement with some form of natural ventilation, for example by ventilating through windows and doors.
Whether the ventilation of the home takes place in one way or another, you should find out how great the need for ventilation is. The need depends on several factors, including:
• The number of people in the home and the size of the home: The more people and the less space, the greater the need for ventilation.
• Behavior of the residents: If you, for example, take long baths, cook in a kitchen without a cooker hood or dry laundry in the home, which are all things you should not do, the need for ventilation is significantly greater than otherwise.
• Density of the home and how well it is insulated: Some older buildings have what is called unintentional ventilation, which is ventilation through cracks and leaks.
Contact us if you need renovation of your house, we cooperate with several general contractors and craftsmen who can find the best solution for you.
