Best Winter Ventilation Practices

David Rampey ·

Ventilation in winter, or anytime for that matter. can be tricky. You need to increase fresh air while you're exhausting stale air, but installing ventilation systems to solve the problem can carry some risks.

While the topic of winter ventilation can be complicated, here are a few pointers to get you started.

Types of Ventilation

First of all, it's important to understand the types of ventilation systems:

  1. Exhaust ventilation sends air out of the house, such as the bathroom or kitchen exhaust system. While these systems remove excess humidity, they can create negative pressure, pulling polluted air and moisture into the home through cracks in the exterior.

  2. Supply ventilation systems bring fresh air inside the house but can bring in moisture and pollutants.

  3. Balanced ventilation means the exhaust and supply streams are equal. This is the most desirable system, but balance can be hard to achieve.

  4. Energy recovery systems convert the humidity from the air into energy. This can be a problem in cold climates, where the moisture can freeze.

  5. Heat recovery ventilation uses heat in the exhausted stale air to heat up the home. In cold climates, frost can build up in the exchange core, necessitating the closing of a damper so that the warm air is routed through the core.

Attic Ventilation

Another key type of ventilation is in the attic. There are several types of vents — located in gables, rafters, and under eaves — but all help exhaust the warm, moist air that rises into the attic in winter. Turbine and ridge vents, plus attic ventilation fans, can help with this process.

The Right Ventilation for Your Home

A ventilation system could be the answer to improving your indoor air quality this winter. It's best to meet with an HVAC consultant and discuss what you hope to achieve. A consultant can make recommendations about the right type of system for your home to improve your indoor air quality.

Be sure to also discuss the need to avoid unpleasant drafts of cold air from the vent location.

For more on winter ventilation, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.