For spaces with anticipated high levels of humidity such as utility rooms bathrooms or gyms mechanical ventilation is essential. For several decades there has been a push from builders and contractors to ventilate below grade spaces with outside air. Basement ventilation options ventilation involves the removal of stale air from the home to allow new fresh air easily to enter into the building in order to reduce humidity and prevent the accumulation of toxic black mould.
ventilating a basement
The importance of venting your basement is a building science myth that leads to rot mold musty odors and high utility bills.
Ventilating a basement. For most small to moderately sized. An air purifier works by pulling air into the unit and moving it through a series of filters. However do not open your basement windows or doors during or after a heavy rain or if the relative humidity outdoors is high. The first ventilation fan on our list is the ac infinity airtitan t8.
Box fans or small air conditioning units may also be inserted into the windows. Floor fans and a dehumidifier are additional options that may help keep a basement adequately ventilated. This includes designing vents into crawl spaces and basements. Not through the basement retaining walls.
Because basements are generally cooler than other parts of the home it is important to insulate the pipes and walls correctly and to ventilate the space by bringing fresh drier air into that space. These layers trap a variety of microscopic particles including mold and mildew spores allergens bacteria and dust. For this process to be truly effective the windows and doors in your basement should be open on a regular basis year round. If your basement has two or more windows then natural ventilation is a great option for reducing moisture while also conserving energy.
Ventilation should be directly applied to exposed external walls where possible ie. A basic mechanical ventilation system begins with a design plan and depends largely on the size of the basement and other appliances or items in the space. For portable ventilation all you need to do is place an air purifier in your basement. In the winter once you turn your furnace on youre heating air containing moisture expanding it many times and now it is looking for a way out of your home.
So vent the crawlspace or basement. Keeping the basement warm and dry in the winter months is critical to reducing the development of toxins in the home. Natural ventilation can also reduce the amount of moisture that builds up in the basement.
