Good ventilation in the home is so important when it comes to the health of your family, and the comfort of your home. It also makes a big difference to the longevity of the items within your home and could even potentially affect the integrity of your home's structure.
After the RCP (Royal College Of Physicians) released the ground-breaking 'Every breath we take' report fairly recently, detailing how in addition to further research into the 40,000 UK deaths annually caused by outdoor air pollution, there is a clear need to understand the key risks and effects of poor air quality indoors too.
With that in mind, it is always a good idea to look into ventilating your home more efficiently. This is especially true with newer homes which are commonly known to be built without the natural ventilation older homes have because of a push for better energy efficiency.
To help you get started, here is a helpful mini-guide with plenty of information to help you begin your journey to better home ventilation:
So, Why Ventilation?
Ventilation is something that helps your home get better at getting rid of toxic pollution from chemicals, smells, smoke, steam, and other moisture. Ventilation can also help regulate heat, dampness, and insulation. Mostly, ventilation is important to help improve the health of your family within the home. Indoor air quality is so important and it should be your escape from the high levels of pollution that often exist outside our homes, especially around and inside cities.
The home we have should look and feel lovely and how we want it to, but more importantly, it should feel safe and healthy and we should be able to know it is not a health hazard that we have to live in.
Ventilation does not have to be complex, although one should keep in mind the aesthetic of their home and the ventilation the home already has.
Ventilation For The Structure Of The Home
Ventilating the structure of the home is an important starting point for home ventilation because it relates to the biggest aspects of ventilating well. Any basement and loft space should be checked for air flows, damp and insulation. You can add vents to allow moist air to flow and avoid rot and damp. Condensation can be a big issue for the home, and sometimes you can't even see the areas worst for it.
If you are adding vents to any basement or loft spaces you should also look at the roof itself and adding further hidden vents. Hiring a professional is a really good idea when you embark on these minor but important structural changes. The same goes for any changes to a basement or crawlspace. Do always hire a professional rather than making adjustments yourself but do start with structural adjustments when approaching home ventilation, for the best possible foundation.
Ventilation For Inside The Home
There are so many adjustments you can make inside the home for better internal ventilation. Primarily you'll want to address areas that are known for moisture such as the kitchen and bathroom. A good extractor fan in the kitchen can make a huge amount of difference, as well as a fan for the bathroom even if the bathroom has a window.
With your kitchen extractor, you will want to opt for complete ventilation and not an air circulator which will not remove the moisture. With your bathroom fan, look to get a bigger version if the one you have currently isn't helping issues with black mould and mildew.
Other easy ways to keep air circulating in the home are:
- Adding indoor plants
- Opening windows, especially after a shower or bath, or when drying clothes
- Getting used to opening windows whenever possible
A great addition to your downstairs space is high quality internal bifold doors. They enable you to open your patio doors or back door up to ventilate your kitchen and let out moisture and food smells whilst keeping the rest of your home somewhat separate. Internal bifold doors may also be useful somewhat in preventing any pollen from spreading to the rest of the house should your household have any of the 10-30% of UK adults with hayfever or 40% of UK children who suffer from the condition. Of course, pollen will always get in when there is an open door or window but, barriers can help prevent the circulation to a point.
Always Consult A Professional
In all cases with making changes to your property, particularly structural changes, do consult a professional for advice and to complete any necessary work unless you are qualified. With the right help and advice, and making the right adjustments, you will see a huge improvement in the air quality of your home, improving the health and comfort of your whole family.
**This is a collaborative post.**
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