Ventilation Tips that Keep the Humidity Out

Here in Richmond and Central Virginia, we understand that humidity in the summer is part of life. That’s why it’s important to know how to keep it out of homes. That excess moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, structural damage, and hazardous air quality.

When the warm, summer air contacts a cool surface in your home, it condenses into water droplets. For example, cold water pipes can accumulate condensation and run down into structural components such as the walls and windows. Besides warm air, there are other household activities that can contribute moisture to the air — including cooking, bathing, drying clothes, and dish washing.

What is Ventilation?

Ventilation, simply put, is the proper exchange between indoor and outdoor air. Without ventilation, there would be no way to circulate heated or cooled air throughout your home.

Proper home ventilation can control humidity, moisture, and temperature. It’s also a key part of maintaining an energy efficient home — which means lower monthly bills

Different Ways to Ventilate Your Home:

1. Whole house ventilation: This method uses a combination of fans and duct work to ventilate your entire house. The system creates a suction effect that exchanges hot indoor air with cooled outdoor air. If you have a whole house ventilation system, yet still experience poor performance — you could have leaky ducts. That means your ducts are losing cool air and making your system over-perform, causing high energy costs and poor indoor air quality.
2. Natural Ventilation: Windows and doors can also function as a ventilation system. You’re probably thinking that leaving these open in the summer will only make your home hotter. Try opening windows in the morning and evening when temperatures are coolest — and remember to close them when the sun starts to rise.
3. Spot Ventilation: This is a great method for rooms in your home that retain more humidity than others, such as kitchens and bathrooms. A great example of spot ventilation is installing exhaust fans to control moisture. Flip on the fan while you take a shower, and you’re sure to see a difference in accumulated moisture. Use this method along with other types of ventilation for the best results. Spot ventilation can also make natural ventilation more effective — as it can help push the hot air out.
4. Structural Ventilation: It’s important to ventilate all the spaces in your home, even the ones you can’t see. Crawlspaces are especially prone to moisture, which means more mold growth and structural rot. As your air circulates through these spaces it becomes saturated with these substances, which you and your family end up breathing in. Sealing your crawlspaces and properly venting them can ensure your air is clean and healthy.

Bradley Mechanical is Central VA’s Expert on Ventilation

If you’ve ever considered giving us a call, this record-breaking summer is the time. Our commercial and residential duct services can help you save money, stay healthy, and keep your home cool and comfortable. We offer duct performance testing, which is a great first step in identifying problems before they get serious. We also fabricate custom ducts and install a system that will work best for you. Other ventilation services include duct sealing and cleaning. Learn more today and give us a call at 804-748-6728.