Ventilation is one of the most overlooked parts of the HVAC acronym, but it’s vital for maintaining a healthy living environment. Indoor air that’s recirculated must be filtered regularly. Even so, pollutants concentrate indoors, especially in areas like Grayslake, IL where homes are tightly sealed to keep out the heat and humidity as well as the cold. Fortunately, there are effective ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
How Ventilation Affects Your Indoor Air Quality
Over the past few decades, home builders have focused on keeping fresh air out rather than letting it in, especially in new constructions. Passive infiltration is one natural form of ventilation that lets air sneak indoors through unsealed areas. However, now that homes are so well insulated, air can’t enter or escape as readily. This creates conditions where volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants reach alarming concentrations. In this scenario, a mechanical ventilation system can restore the natural balance needed to maintain clean, healthy indoor air.
Benefits of Installing a Whole-House Ventilation System
Several types of fan-powered ventilation systems can maintain optimal air change rates in residential and commercial buildings. At Herchenbach Mechanical, we typically recommend heat-recovery ventilators. Although they cost slightly more, they can save you money by capturing wasted energy while providing the following benefits.
- Ventilators lower the concentrations of VOCs and other pollutants that can’t be removed with air cleaners or filtration equipment.
- These efficient systems recover more than 80 percent of outgoing energy, which is used to balance the temperature of the incoming airstream.
- Enhanced ventilation can reduce carbon dioxide levels that lead to drowsiness while venting VOCs that cause headaches and eye irritation.
For more information on improving your home’s indoor air quality, call Herchenbach Mechanical at (847) 260-9335. We offer a comprehensive selection of ventilation equipment to make your home healthier and more comfortable.
