As it comes to HVAC services, many homeowners put emphasis on the Heating and Air Conditioning elements. But what about that “V”?
The “V” in HVAC stands for ventilation, and it is a critical component to the functionality and the air quality in your home.
Why Is Ventilation Important?
The ventilation of your HVAC system circulates and purifies the air. It controls air quality by determining moisture level, preventing air stagnation and removing any undesirable smells.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) defines the HVAC system as one which will “heat, cool, clean, ventilate, humidify and dehumidify as needed to provided health and HVAC comfort.”
HVAC technicians work within your ventilation using air filters, air cleaners, air purifiers, humidifiers and dehumidifiers depending on the type of system in your home. These keep you from breathing in allergens, airborne particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while going about your day-to-day business.
Signs of HVAC Ventilation Issues
In fact, if a family member is having allergy or breathing issues while you reside in your home, the ventilation of your HVAC system is one of the first places you should have a professional inspect.
This is one of several red flags reflecting your HVAC ventilation needs some work. The ventilation is supposed to allow the proper amount of fresh outside air into your home depending on the settings that you dictate using your thermostat. Issues arise when too much outside air comes into the home, which inevitably inhibits the performance of the HVAC system and increases your energy bill. This is a result of poor ventilation design, and signs of this include doors opening by themselves, or unwanted odors from the bathroom moving from room-to-room.
Conversely, you can run into issues when there’s not enough fresh air coming into the home. You’ll notice this as things will become stuffy, humid and there may even be an accompanying smell. The presence of moisture is even more disconcerting because it can lead to more serious problems down the road – like mold, or wood rot.
Types of Air Duct Systems
There are several methods of getting air moving through your home. Of course, there is natural ventilation that comes from intentionally from opening windows or doors, and even unintentionally from cracks and holes that are especially present in older homes. There’s also spot airflow that can be used with fans and exhaust fans, like the ones you have on your stove or in your bathroom.
Many homeowners also have air ducts installed to provide airflow throughout the house. You may choose an exhaust airflow system to allow air inside of the house to be pushed outside, or an supply air system to pull outside air into the home. There is also a balanced system that will move air both in and out of the home. Any of these systems requires regular maintenance so as to prevent any pollutants from from contaminating the air quality of inside the home.
HVAC Ventilation Services in Raleigh
Do you have a question about the ventilation system in your house? Perhaps you are thinking to have an air duct system installed, a dehumidifier replaced, or just want to check the quality of your existing system? We are providing Raleigh homes with HVAC services (and that of the greater Triangle region) including ventilation. Contact us today to see how we can help.
