ventilation: Articles tagged with “ventilation”

Window screens have come a long way in a few years. In addition to keeping insects out and letting air in, they can now protect you and your possessions from sun damage. Here's an overview of what's available.

Q: What can I do about moisture building up on my windows?

Q: My home has central air and heat. The A/C unit is outside behind the house and the heater is in the attic. The system shut off a few days ago. I checked the breakers - fine. I checked to make sure the unit had power - OK. I put a new thermostat on-no go. What am I overlooking? I can do the work myself if I only knew what to look for and replace. It is getting very cold here and the baby isn't too happy at night. The home is four years old. Any suggestions?

Classic cathedral ceilings are beautiful and timeless. They give the home an open, airy feel but they are also more prone to moisture damage than a traditional ceiling. The design of a cathedral ceiling creates isolated air spaces which are more difficult to treat. For years there has been an ongoing debate among experts who feel that ventilation is necessary for cathedral ceilings. Some say it is required to help eliminate the moisture buildup, while others say a simpler method will suffice. The question many are asking is, "What is best?" The real answer, however, lies with only one question. "What is best for my home?" You, and only you, can make a well-informed decision about how to properly care for and protect your ceiling.

Good quality roofing is a vital aspect to any house. Not only does it protect the house itself from the elements but if it is well constructed it will protect everything within the house too.

More than ever, homeowners are frustrated by poor performing roofing products and upset when a new roof costing between $5,000 and $10,000 lasts only 12 to 15 years. In some cases, the problem is a troublesome brand of materials. More often, however, it is inadequate attic ventilation.

Building standards, driven by energy shortages, have sewn up the homes that we live in tighter than a drum. Surprisingly, standards of ventilation adopted in the 1930s are still in use today! Most homes are woefully under ventilated.

Q: I am working on a house with little ridge. The owner wants to install ridge vents. Is it plausible to install these on the hips?

Looking after your roof

A well cared for roof lasts much longer than a roof that is left to its own devices. By spotting problems early you can save yourself a lot of heartache and extra cost from big problems. Your roof is responsible for taking the damage from everything that the elements can throw at it including wind, rain, sun and snow but it is also attacked by leaves, insects and other natural predators. Ineffective roofing can mean that any of these factors find their way into your attic and eventually your home and it is important you do what you can to prevent this from happening.

The most important part of your home is the roof. It protects you from the rain, the snow and anything else that Mother Nature dishes out. Without it, we are left out in the cold - literally. When building, or buying, a home, it's important to make sure that the roof is in good shape. One of the most important aspects of roofing is adequate ventilation.

Q: We have three wind turbines on our new roof. With winter setting in, is it necessary to cover them? Many of our neighbors do not, so as new home owners, we are unsure.

A sunroom can bring sunlight and air into your home without sacrificing the comfort of being in your home. Sunrooms can be custom-designed or purchased as a kit. When planning, decide how you are going to use the room. For example, if you want to extend your living room or kitchen, you'll have different construction requirements than if you want to install a hot tub or create a solarium for your plants.

As the weather grows colder, homeowners should look ahead to the stormy winter months. There are many things we can and should do to protect our families and homes from the ravages of winter. Good planning can also help to reduce maintenance and utility costs.

Q: I am installing a new stovetop and prefer a downdraft venting system. What is a good CFM rating for a kitchen vent system? I hate kitchen grease and odors all over my house, so I want a really effective vent system.

Q: I have a question concerning a central air conditioner in my home. The supply air is run thru ductwork in the attic. These ducts are insulated but condensation builds up internally and drips back into the house through the supply vents in the ceiling. How can I correct this problem before it causes any more damage to the ceiling, floors, furniture, etc.? Do I need more insulation around the ductwork in the attic?

An exhaust fan is desirable in any bathroom, and it is required in bathrooms that have no windows or windows that can't be opened. Bathroom fans should exchange the air in a bathroom completely every 5 minutes. In addition to keeping the air fresh, they also help inhibit the growth of mildew and other fungi that easily breed in a bathroom. If possible, listen to a fan of the model you are buying; some are pretty noisy.

You need to clean your over-the-stove vent hood periodically. Here are some pointers.

Radon is a radioactive, odorless, colorless gas formed by the decay of radium that occurs in soil, water and natural gas. The U.S. Surgeon General has listed radon as the number two cause of lung cancer, and it accounts for about 20,000 deaths annually.

Introduction

Indoor air pollution is a problem we are just beginning to understand. As our homes become more tightly sealed to conserve energy resources, problems become more apparent. People generally get interested in the issue when they notice certain health symptoms correlating with time spent in a particular indoor location. Similarly, people get curious when they encounter persistent, unidentified odors.

Studies show that often the dirtiest air we breathe is in our own homes. As we walk through the house, air turbulence created by our moving bodies stirs up a combination of dust and debris that can be irritating to the lungs.

Studies show that often, the dirtiest air we breathe is in our homes. This is especially true if the ducts that deliver the air have dust and dirt build up. If someone in your home has allergies or you would like to reduce the number of contaminants in the air in your home, follow these steps: