Your goal should be to create a tight, energy-efficient home to save on heating and cooling bills. However, tight homes need to breathe or the indoor air quality will suffer, leading to heightened allergies and asthma. Fortunately, four different types of whole-house home ventilation systems are available that provide the efficient air circulation you need to breathe easy:
- Exhaust ventilation: This type of system draws air out of the home, depressurizing the building as polluted air is exhausted to the exterior. Replacement air filters through natural building leaks and passive vents. This type of home ventilation system is appropriate for Western Colorado homes because of the dry climate found here. In humid areas, building depressurization may cause moist air to condense in wall cavities and lead to moisture damage.
- Supply ventilation: The opposite occurs with supply home ventilation systems, where the building is pressurized as fresh outdoor air is introduced and distributed throughout the home. Such systems can include a filter to trap pollen and dust or a dehumidifier to offer control over outdoor humidity.
- Balanced ventilation: When properly designed and installed, a balanced system should keep the home equal to the pressure on the exterior. Typical systems are designed to ventilate living rooms and bedrooms where people spend most of their time during the day and night. Balanced ventilation systems can be used in all climates.
- Energy recovery ventilation: This is the most advanced option for home ventilation systems. It acts like a balanced ventilation system with an additional characteristic: energy recovery ventilators recuperate the heat from warm outgoing air, preheating the incoming air for a smaller impact on your energy bills. Pre-cooling can also take place in the summer, allowing you to use an energy recovery ventilation system year round. Vents should ideally be installed in every room for better air quality throughout your home.
For more information about installing a home ventilation system in your Western Colorado home, please contact us at Climate Control Company.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Aspen, Vail and the surrounding Western slope communities in Colorado about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about home ventilation systems and other HVAC topics, please visit our website.
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