Proper ventilation in your home is important not just for your comfort but also for your health. When you have a poorly ventilated home, you can have a higher chance of mould growth. And having mould in your home can lead to serious health issues. That’s why choosing the right ventilation system for your home is important.
Controlled vs Uncontrolled Ventilation
In controlled ventilation, the temperature, humidity, and levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen are controlled by using a controller. It also controls the level of ventilation. One advantage of this type of ventilation is that it can be your heating and cooling systems all in one.
Uncontrolled ventilation, on the other hand, is just the opening of windows or doors to bring in the fresh air. It doesn’t aim to control the temperature or humidity. This type of ventilation is mostly used during the summer when you want to get a cool breeze into your home.
Direct vs Indirect Ventilation
Direct ventilation involves the exchange of air directly with the room being ventilated. You can control where and how much air is exchanged through the use of vents or fans. Direct ventilation happens through a ductwork system.
Indirect ventilation, on the other hand, happens through the use of a buffer zone between the ventilation system and the room being ventilated. Indirect ventilation usually happens with the use of a ceiling baffle and a plenum system.
Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) vs Advanced Energy Recovery Ventilation (AERV)
Exhaust air heat recovery systems or heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems use heat from the area being ventilated to heat the room. For example, if your bathroom is ventilated, the heat in the exhaust air is transferred to the cold air. This reduces the energy needed to heat your house.
Advanced energy recovery ventilation (AERV) or variable volume ventilation systems are similar to HRV systems. However, instead of transferring the heat from the exhaust air to the incoming air, it transfers the heat to oil or a water tank. The heat can then be recovered during the winter.
Before the advent of HRV systems, mechanical ventilation systems used a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). It uses the principle of a heat recovery ventilator to exchange the air in the room. However, it doesn’t transfer the heat from the exhaust air to the incoming air.
