A Homeowner's Guide to Ventilation

Proper ventilation is an essential but often overlooked aspect of a healthy home. It removes pollutants, moisture, and odors, improving indoor air quality and protecting your home's structure.

Why is Ventilation Important?

Health: Removes airborne pollutants like VOCs, allergens, and cooking fumes that can cause respiratory issues.
Moisture Control: Prevents mold and mildew growth by exhausting humid air from bathrooms and kitchens, protecting your home from rot and structural damage.
Comfort: Eliminates stale air and lingering odors, creating a fresher, more pleasant living environment.
Safety: Vents combustion appliances like furnaces and water heaters, preventing the buildup of dangerous gases like carbon monoxide.

Key Ventilation Concepts

Understanding these terms will help you choose the right equipment.

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute)

This is the primary measurement of airflow for a fan. It tells you how many cubic feet of air the fan can move in one minute. A higher CFM rating means a more powerful fan. Our calculator helps you determine the CFM needed for your specific room.

ACH (Air Changes per Hour)

This measures how many times the entire volume of air in a room is replaced in one hour. Kitchens, for example, require a high ACH (around 15) to quickly clear smoke and odors, while a whole-house system might aim for a much lower, continuous rate.

Sones

This is a measure of sound. A lower sone rating means a quieter fan. For bathrooms, look for fans rated at 1.0 sones or less for quiet operation. For kitchens, where fan power is more critical, a higher sone rating is acceptable.

Types of Ventilation

Exhaust Ventilation (Most Common): Actively removes air from a specific area (e.g., bathroom fan, kitchen range hood). Simple and effective for spot ventilation.
Supply Ventilation: Actively brings fresh, filtered air into the home, slightly pressurizing it.
Balanced Ventilation: Systems like Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) remove stale air and supply fresh air in equal amounts, often transferring heat or humidity in the process for energy efficiency.

Professional Consultation

For whole-house ventilation systems or complex situations, always consult a qualified HVAC professional. They can perform detailed calculations (like ASHRAE 62.2) to design a system that is both effective and energy-efficient for your specific home and climate.