Good ventilation keeps air fresh and keeps healthy indoor environment.
Like the human lungs, homes also need to breathe to make sure that outside fresh air comes in and indoor dirty air goes out.
Air inside our home have high levels of moisture, odors, gases, dust, and other air pollutants. To keep the indoor air healthy , outdoor fresh air is needed to dilute these indoor pollutants and moisture level.
To provide good indoor air quality, sufficient air needs to be brought in and spread so that it reaches all areas of the house. For almost all houses, windows contribute to bringing in fresh air. But where its not possible with windows these houses have additional mechanical ventilation systems to add fresh air .
Some sources, such as chimney and bathrooms, need special duct that can remove the pollution they produce. Ventilation above chimneys needs to carry the air outside to avoid spreading pollutants from cooking inside the house.
Ventilation helps in reducing the indoor air quality but for that there should also be a provision of proper fresh air , the air which is exhausting should not come back there.
Outdoor air can also take some pollutants indoors as well, so taking steps to remove that pollutants of outside air is important .
Air comes into our buildings and leaves by different ways:
- Doors and windows, when they are opened and have pressure difference inside and outside.
- Joints, cracks and openings where parts of the building connect, including floors and walls and around windows and pipes.
- A mechanical ventilation system , that provides controlled airflow and air exchange within a building by a forcefully with some fans.
- When there isn’t enough air moving around, harmful substances can build up inside our homes. Sometimes, when we try to make buildings use less energy, it can accidentally stop the air from flowing properly, causing more pollutants to stay trapped inside.
- When there isn’t enough fresh air coming in, the amount of carbon monoxide inside our homes can become very dangerous. Carbon monoxide can make us very sick or even cause death. But it’s also important to remember that there are other risks besides carbon monoxide when our ventilation is not good.
- If houses don’t have enough fresh air coming in, they can have too much radon gas inside. Radon is a dangerous gas that can cause lung cancer, and it is one of the main reasons why people get this disease.
- When it’s very humid outside, the air inside our homes can also become very humid. This can be a problem because too much moisture can cause damage inside, like growing mold or making wood start to rot.
- To prevent moisture and gases from building up in your home, make sure to use exhaust fans in your bathrooms. These fans help remove the dampness and unpleasant smells, keeping your home fresh and dry.
- Make sure your kitchen has an exhaust fan that pushes the air outside. When you’re cooking, turn on the fan or open a window to get rid of the smells, smoke, and tiny particles floating in the air. This will help keep your kitchen clean and fresh.
- Always ensure that appliances like gas, propane, or wood-burning stoves are properly vented to the outside. Avoid using stoves that don’t have vents. It’s important to install carbon monoxide detectors in different areas of your home to keep you safe. These detectors will alert you if there’s a dangerous amount of carbon monoxide in the air.
- When using a clothes dryer, make sure it vents the warm air outside your home. This helps remove moisture and prevents it from causing problems indoors. It’s also important to regularly clean the dryer vent to ensure that dust and debris don’t clog it up, allowing the air to flow freely.
- When you’re painting or using chemicals or hobby supplies at home, it’s important to have extra ventilation. Open the windows to let fresh air come in, and use a portable fan in the window to help pull the air out of the room. This will help remove any strong smells or harmful fumes, keeping the air clean and safe for you.
- It’s a good idea to check your home for radon, a harmful gas. If the levels are high, it’s best to ask a professional for help. They can install ventilation systems that will get rid of the radon. Remember, radon is the second biggest cause of lung cancer, so it’s important to take it seriously.
- If the air inside your home is too damp, try to find out where the moisture is coming from and control it. If that doesn’t fix the issue, you can consider using a dehumidifier. Remember to clean the dehumidifier regularly. If you’re still facing problems, it’s a good idea to consult an air systems specialist to see if there are any improvements that can be made to your system.
- It’s important to never leave your car running inside a garage that is connected to your home. The exhaust from the car can enter your home and be harmful to breathe in. So, always make sure to turn off your car engine and remove it from the garage to keep the air inside your home safe and clean.
