Ventilation is necessary for a few reasons,
including:
1. Airtight Homes
Homes designed and built in recent years are more airtight and energy efficient
than in the past. The benefit of an airtight home is fewer drafts, which lowers
the cost to heat and air-condition the home. However, pollutants retained in
airtight buildings can be hazardous to occupants and jeopardize structural
integrity. That's why Panasonic emphasizes a "build tight...ventilate right"
platform. Proper mechanical ventilation design can address poor indoor air
quality, while retaining energy efficiency.
2. Biological Pollutants
Good ventilation in the home is suggested to avoid moisture and excess build-up
from biological pollutants such as mold and mildew . Excess pollutants are not
only detrimental to your health, but can also lead to the deterioration of
structure supports and walls.
3. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are gases released from building materials, carpets, furniture and other
household items as a result of aging, decomposition or curing. A good
ventilation system will prevent prolonged exposure to VOCs and keep the air in
your home fresh and well circulated.
Ventilation fans can be used in two ways:
Continuous Ventilation
Also referred to as general, central, whole-house or primary ventilation,
continuous ventilation removes stale air, and provides fresh air to all rooms on
a slow, continuous basis. Well-designed, airtight homes should generally use low
volume continuous ventilation.
Intermittent Ventilation
Sometimes called spot, local or secondary ventilation, intermittent ventilation
is used to capture and remove pollutants quickly at the source. The purpose is
to exhaust excessive moisture or pollutants before they can spread to other
parts of the house. Areas that might require this type of ventilation include
the bathroom, kitchen, utility room, exercise room, workshop, garage and home
office.
Ideally, both continuous and intermittent ventilation will be used to create a
healthy and comfortable living environment for the entire family.
Other ways to improve indoor air
quality before ventilation include: