Did you know that the average American spends 90% of their time indoors? It's hard to believe that we will spend the majority of our lives contained within a dwelling. Alas, a fact is a fact. That is why it's so important to pay attention to the quality of your indoor air. Many of us pay no attention to our indoor air. For those with HVAC systems, they simply assume that the system will take care of it and the air within our homes will be fine. Nothing can be further from the truth. While HVAC systems can handle a large portion of the cleaning and re-circulating of air, there are a number of factors to consider when striving for optimal indoor air quality. First, let's consider why you should care about the air you're breathing.
While we can sit here and tell you until we're blue in the face that you spend 90% of your time indoors, it really may not matter to you. You'll probably shrug your shoulders and say, "Big deal...so what?" Well, did you know that pollutants such as mold, mildew, allergens, dust, and mites can build up inside your ductwork and get circulated through your home? That should wave a red flag for you! If anyone living within your home is prone to breathing issues like pneumonia or asthma, you'll need to ensure your indoor air is as clean as can be. Oftentimes people who are feeling ill all the time don't realize that it's a reaction to something that is circulating in the air within their home. Once the ducts are cleaned and HVAC systems are optimized, they suddenly feel better.
So what is mechanical ventilation? Mechanical ventilation uses ducts and fans to circulate the air within your home. This is in contrast to relying on natural holes within the home to let the inside air out and the outside air in. Not only does mechanical ventilation provide you with better indoor quality, but it also provides you with more control. You can easily determine how efficient the ventilation is and where that air is flowing in and out. Mechanical ventilation systems also provide a means of de-humidifying, filtering, and conditioning the air that is coming from outside. That means cleaner and fresher air all the time, in a controlled environment.
There are a variety of mechanical ventilation systems, and each is best in certain scenarios. For example, supply ventilation systems are best in hot or mixed climates while exhaust ventilation systems are best in cold climates. It will be up to you and your contractor/home builder to determine which type of ventilation system works best for you within your climate and using your chosen HVAC system.
Ginger Heise is the Director of Operations for Stillbrooke Homes/Bud Bartley Homes. Bud Bartley Homes takes great pride in the value offered to each client. We build in the warmth and comfort, never forgetting that a home is where memories are born. Our building associates are craftsmen, each dedicated to fulfilling your distinctive vision for your custom home and using only the finest in materials and modern building techniques. Privately owned and operated for over thirty years, we are confident that the Bud Bartley team will exceed your home building expectations.
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