Exhaust fans, also known as ventilation fans, they’re not just the bathroom fans or kitchen hoods that we envision when we think of ventilating fans for our homes and businesses.
From eliminating poor indoor air quality like allergens and other airborne irritants to removing harmful gases, ventilating fans have an array of uses. Keep reading to learn about three unique uses for ventilating fans and the type of fans that are built for the job.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
These days, homes are being built more tightly, especially newer construction. Essentially, a tighter house has better windows and doors, tighter sealing to keep outside air from leaking in and inside air from leaking out. While tighter homes can lead to increased efficiency for your home’s HVAC system and other key appliances, we’re beginning to learn more about some drawbacks to tightly sealed homes.
Older houses that weren’t as sealed, while not as efficient as today’s homes, supplied ventilation for the home. They allowed air to flow into and out of the home, constantly cycling fresh air into the space.
Side Effects of Tightly Sealed Homes
A home that’s tightly sealed can have effects on your indoor air quality such as:
- Airborne Irritants: Germs, viruses, allergens and other irritants can be brought into your indoor air. Without a flow of air in and out of your home, this unhealthy air is never replaced.
- Odors: In addition to residual odors from cooking and daily living, the lack of fresh air can lead to a general stale smell in the home.
- High Humidity Levels: You may notice condensation on the windows or a feeling of muggy air indoors. If a dehumidifier isn’t correcting the issue, then your home may be too tight.
Use an Air Supply Fan to Fix the Problem
Installing an air supply fan will help bring fresh air indoors while pushing contaminants out. Placed on your home’s HVAC system, these fans pull outside air in, mixing it with your home’s return air supply, and delivering the fresh air to your rooms.
These unique fans deliver a relatively set-it-and-forget-it operation, usually only ventilating when certain programmed temperature and humidity settings are exceeded.
Reduce (Or Increase) Temperatures
A balanced temperature is important for any space, whether at home or work. If your building utilizes comfort solutions like mini splits, window air conditioners, wall heaters or other cooling and heating appliances, you may notice that the temperature is perfect where the unit is, but other rooms leave something to be desired. That’s where a room to room fan is helpful.
Room to room fans are designed to balance the temperatures in adjoining rooms. Installed through walls or in door frames, these fans transfer air from the room with the air conditioner or heater to a room next door. This leaves both rooms feeling comfortable without the need to install costly appliances in multiple rooms.
Best Areas for Room to Room Fans
Room to room transfer fans work best in rooms with:
- Window Air Conditioners or Mini Splits
- Fireplaces
- Woodstoves
- Utility Closets
Eliminate Radon Gas in Your Home
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause a host of issues including lung cancer. You can’t see or smell radon, the only way to know if it’s in your home is to test for it.
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It enters your home through cracks and other holes in your foundation. Any home can have a radon problem, though the Environmental Protection Agency has identified areas of the United States that have the potential for elevated indoor radon levels.
Radon Mitigation Fans Can Help
So your home has tested for an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). What’s next? A radon mitigation fan is going to be your best option.
These fans typically install in concrete slabs, basements and crawlspaces via PVC pipes. They take the gas and exhaust it outside your home, leaving your home healthier and radon free.
Questions?
For additional information and help in finding the best ventilation solution for your building, contact one of our experts at 1 (800) 934-9194 for help.
