Air is essential to human life, but air quality varies from place to place, including inside buildings. Therefore, the ventilation systems in buildings function like the building’s respiratory system, drawing out low-quality air to maintain excellent air quality within a building.
According to one government report on US building codes, residential and commercial buildings should have sufficient air filtration systems to maintain indoor air quality. However, different ventilation systems exist, each with advantages and disadvantages. Nonetheless, below are five general benefits to building occupants of having a functional ventilation system in a commercial or residential building.
What Is Ventilation: Ventilation System Types
Ventilation is the provision or international introduction of outdoor air into an indoor space. The US Department of Energy DOE, the regulatory body in charge of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, classifies ventilation systems as natural, mechanical, and hybrid. DOE partner organizations like the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) use a similar classification system.
A natural ventilation system utilizes forces like wind and thermal buoyancy (cold air VS warm air) to drive air through an intergrated air vent. Second, a natural ventilation system relies on external openings (building envelopes) like windows, doors, and trickle vents. Magnetic vent covers are ideal for a natural ventilation system because they are affordable and easy to install.
On the other hand, mechanical ventilation utilizes integrated fans along air ducts and building envelopes to supply outdoor air into a room while simultaneously expunging polluted air from the room. The climatic conditions within a geographical location dictate the ideal mechanical ventilation for use in buildings within the location.
Third, a hybrid ventilation system combines natural and mechanical systems. The intuitive system switches between the natural and ventilation systems, depending on the level of pollutants and humidity in a room.
1. Purify Indoor Air
According to one report, American adults and teenagers spend approximately 90% of their time indoors at home, in school, workplaces, and other public indoor spaces. The report further highlighted that indoor air circulating within buildings has a pollutant concentration 2-5 times higher than the air outdoor air.
Also, the concentrations and variety of pollutants in buildings are gradually rising due to the increased use of synthetic building materials, personal care products, and cleaning chemicals. Therefore, an air vent combined with an air duct and other ventilation system staples is necessary to facilitate clean indoor air circulation within a building. TerraBloom inline fans are some of the most powerful on the market and are designed to move a lot of air quickly.
Ventilation systems purify indoor air by expelling pathogens like pollen, dust, bacteria, fungi spores, exhaust fumes from activities like cooking and painting, and unpleasant odors from a room. They prevent a build-up of such air impurities, protecting air occupants from allergies. Second, ventilation systems prevent carbon dioxide(CO2) build-up in the house; CO2 build-up taints air quality and can cause symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or extinguish gas-powered appliances.
2. It Facilitates Comfort
Besides purifying air, the ventilation systems in a house regulate internal temperature and humidity levels, creating a comfortable environment for building occupants.
ASHRAE recommends 30% to 60% humidity as the ideal humidity range for human occupancy in a building. Humidity levels exceeding the recommended range create a conducive environment for pathogens like bacteria and fungi to survive.
Second, the DOE recommends 68 degrees Fahrenheit as the most comfortable temperature in an indoor setting. However, temperatures run high in confined, packed spaces, causing them to switch from comfortable to hot and stuffy in seconds.
Uncomfortable room temperatures are detrimental to workplaces. One study shows that productivity drops by 10% when temperatures rise beyond 73 degrees Fahrenheit. However, ventilation systems circulate airflow, keeping spaces comfortable and people productive.
3. Prevents The Spreading of Diseases
Besides lowering air quality, the pollutants in indoor air can trigger respiratory diseases. As stated above, indoor air has more pollutants than outdoor air due to the increased use of synthetic construction materials over the decades.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emissions from construction materials and can cause irritation once inhaled. VOC inhalation symptoms range from short-term discomforts like eye, nose, and throat irritation to long-term chronic diseases like asthma, obtrusive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.
Second, a poorly ventilated indoor space can also cause hay fever, a seasonal respiratory infection caused by allergens. Third, sick building syndrome or a condition in which building occupants develop illness symptoms perceived to be associated with the building. However, an effective ventilation system helps prevent such occurrences.
4. Prevent Condensation Damage
Elevated humidity levels in a poorly ventilated building can cause condensation to form. Unchecked condensate formation causes the growth of mold and mildew on walls and other items, causing property damage.
Moreover, one study shows that poor moisture control can cause structural damage to a building over time. Therefore, a sound ventilation system helps prevent property damage and loss.
5. Prevents Radon Gas Accumulation
Besides carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from exhaust fumes, radon gas is the other risk factor for building occupants. Radon is a radioactive gas formed when radioactive metals in the ground react. The gas finds its way to the atmosphere and enters buildings through apertures on the building’s structure.
Although radon gas is colorless and odorless, one study shows that it can cause cancer when inhaled in high concentrations. However, a sound ventilation system prevents it from reaching such toxic levels.
Conclusion
The air quality in a building plays a vital role in determining its habitability, and ventilation systems make buildings habitable. However, ensure you consult a certified HVAC expert to establish the ideal ventilation system for your indoor space.
