Ventilation Concepts
Today much is said about ventilation, not because it’s a new phenomena, but because homes, and buildings are sealed much tighter.
In the past natural ventilation existed as a consequence of the building technology at the time.
Houses had air gaps around timber framed doors and windows.
Fixed plaster wall vents allowing for air displacement.
Furniture and furnishings were predominantly of natural materials.
Ventilation is not about currents of air cascading down corridors, but a means of removing spent air.
Trickle ventilation by natural displacement is what works best.
A balance is struck, only as much as is needed.
The most common indicator of ventilation being required is when odours are sensed on initial entry into the house.
Whether summer or winter, oxygen replenishment by way of ventilation, is essential to family well being.
Obviously it is desirable to keep loss of heat to a minimum during the winter months but the analogy ‘you have to lose a little to gain a lot’ is apt here.
Asthmatics
Asthmatics are probably the most natural human indicator as to the air quality in a home by nature of their innate sensitivity.
To filter the air is something you do where the particulate or offending matter is identified as being detrimental to the individual and is therefore requires removal.
However to much filtering is detrimental as air people will be less able to cope with general ambient conditions.
The individual will then be slowly consigned to live in a bubble like environment as the ongoing development of natural resistance is being inhibited.
Living naturally is a case of compromise, gaining one thing by surrendering another.
Air quality is easily overlooked because it has no visual presence but discomfort can be easily sensed when that feeling of well being is interfered with.
You always notice when a house has a ‘good feel’ about it.
Architects
Architects and designers employ natural ventilation techniques and building processes that essentially enable a house to aspirate, incorporating products into the build
The unfortunate thing is that when budget constraints arise the first things to be discarded are the pro active items.
Very often at the request of the client because of over reach, not the architect or designer.
It’s the simple things that have the biggest impact and one of the simplest is the ceiling vent or register.
Much is said about eating the right foods, keeping fit, weight down, less preservatives and organic produce…..very little, if any, is said about air quality in the home.
This is always mistakenly, presumed to exist.
Added to this is the mind set of those who believe one product is the same as any other that shares the same word description.
They have no awareness as to the obvious differences in the design and materials used.
And they insist on accepting the misconception and then claim deception when faced with the detrimental aspects of their choice.
Trades
There will be fewer trades people able to repair or service products in the near future especially if those products are made to a price with short term expectation.
The cost of employing good and experienced trades people will be high and ever increasing so keep your reliance on them to a minimum by using quality products suited to the task.
The future cost of replacement will continue to rise, and the chances of repairing a product being non existent, particularly if the product was not meant to be repaired.
In considering products with which to build your home, let quality and not price, be the governing factor.
Do without until you can afford it
Further Information
Pollutant warning over ‘airtight’ modern homes – BBC News
Indoor air quality can’t be ignored — our lives depend on it – ABC News