5 Reasons Why Good Home Ventilation s Important

“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air & sunshine are hard to beat” - Laura Ingalls Wilder.

The covid-19 pandemic literally had the world gasping for breath. Something as normal as breathing seemed a huge luxury to people struck by the invisible virus. Patients began to panic and complained about low oxygen levels. It was quite strange that people were willing to pay any price just to be able to breathe naturally. Suddenly, the world woke up to realize the importance of things that were mostly taken for granted.

With families spending more time indoors, the need for spacious and well-ventilated homes gained huge traction. The Oxford dictionary defines ventilation as the act of allowing fresh air to enter and move around a space, such as a room or a building. This flow of fresh air reduces stale air and prevents the multiplication of virus particles. The pandemic may soon be forgotten, but the lessons should be remembered forever.

Top 5 Reasons Why Good Home Ventilation is Important

The atmosphere and the ambiance inside the house have a deep impact on the physical & mental well-being of its residents. So the first thing to be checked when you buy a home is the quality of ventilation. A well-ventilated house is one that ensures ample air & sunlight within. The top 5 reasons to elucidate the importance of good ventilation in homes are discussed below.

1) Family’s Health & Well-Being:

Prolonged stay in closed, poorly ventilated houses drastically increases the risk of infections, skin allergies, airborne diseases, etc., and may also lead to severe problems like respiratory diseases, eczema, nausea, and nervous disorders. Radon concentration in less ventilated spaces is reported to cause lung cancer. When a large family is confined to a poorly ventilated home, the environment can be suffocating for the kids & elderly people. A foul odor will linger throughout the day if the house is not ventilated. Damp conditions are very conducive to fungal growth. So proper air & sunlight are also necessary to protect the food items from quick spoilage.

2) Regulation of Temperature:

High humidity levels inside homes are mostly due to low or no ventilation. A well-ventilated house ensures that air & sunlight are evenly distributed across the place. This provides warmth during the cold winter months and also makes the hot summer months less scorching. This regulation of temperature makes it very pleasant & comfortable to reside in the house throughout the year. Days & nights do not get abnormally hot & cold if the house is properly ventilated. With more and more people choosing to work from their homes, a nice ventilated room can make it more comfortable to work in and boost productivity levels.

3) Better Air Quality Inside Houses:

Whether you are conscious of it or not, the most important thing that you do is to breathe. If the air inside does not flow properly, it gradually gets impure due to dust particles and pollutants. Chemicals used in homes, like paint, cleaning products, room fresheners, etc., emit volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can get dangerous in higher concentrations. Good home ventilation helps to control this concentration as it may be nearly impossible to remove them from the air inside the house. It is not just sufficient to breathe. What matters is the quality of that air, and good ventilation helps to improve indoor air quality.

4) Reduces the Risk of Condensation:

When warm air comes in contact with a colder surface such as walls, floors, or windows, it becomes difficult for the warm air to retain moisture. When this water gets released to the colder surfaces, it creates tiny water droplets. This process, called condensation, can lead to problems such as damp walls, peeling of wallpapers, decaying of window frames, smelly room corners, mold/termite formation on wood & walls, etc., and cause damage to the property. Kitchens & bathrooms are highly vulnerable to this problem of condensation. Damp conditions are also a haven for mold & rotten surfaces. The best solution to this problem is to have a home that has sufficient ventilation. Proper airflow throughout the house makes sure that the place stays dry and does not collect moisture.

5) Cost Savings & Other Monetary Benefits:

A poorly ventilated house needs constant repairs & renovations for its maintenance and upkeep. As the property ages, you need to spend more and more money every year to keep it in a hospitable shape. Lack of maintenance can only lead to further problems and higher expenses in the future. Proper ventilation ensures that the house is more energy efficient. This can result in significant savings on your monthly utility bills. A well-ventilated house also commands a premium in property rental & sale markets. Despite other advantages, the house may not find any takers if the ventilation is bad. So, good ventilation is essential to earn higher rental incomes and appreciation in housing prices.

Tips to Ensure Good Home Ventilation

1. Make sure that the house has a sufficient number of windows. Keep the windows open during the daytime. This allows the fresh air outside to replace the stale one indoors. Opening windows in two different directions facilitates the flow of cross breeze.

2. Installing a few vents in the walls across the house ensures that there is a circulation of fresh air and the temperature is well regulated. Vents can also help to reduce your heating & cooling costs.

3.An exhaust fan is a must for the kitchen. Otherwise, the smell from the room would only spread all across the home. This would also help to prevent moisture buildup during the cooking process.

4. Bathrooms should be ventilated through the use of air ducts or exhaust fans. The bathroom door & window(s) can be left open for a while after the shower.

5. Using porous materials in construction helps the free movement of air. Installing a good air purifier will be beneficial, especially in bigger cities with higher pollution levels.

Conclusion

Buying a dream home is both challenging & exciting. But amid this rush & hurry, don’t overlook the aspect of home ventilation. Improper ventilation can be a cause of serious bane due to maintenance, discomfort, and health issues. So, ensure that every room in the house is well-ventilated before you sign the papers and beam with joy!