Ventilation systems are used in residential homes and commercial buildings and they are used to bring air that is fresh and clean indoors and remove air that is stale and musty from inside the building. If a ventilation system is properly maintained and kept clean and running efficiently then it will provide its users with air that is clean and pleasant to breathe. However, if the ventilation system is not running properly it can be the source of ill health as indoor pollutants such as odor, chemicals, pollen, moisture, mould spores and other germs do not get flushed outside and those inside continue to breathe them in.



There are various forms of ventilation that can be used both commercially and residentially such as:

Infiltration - This is where no ventilation system is installed and fresh air enters the house through open windows, cracks in the house, around doors and window frames. Many people think that this method is enough to ventilate a property but it is not. There are problems associated with infiltration such as creating negative pressure within the building. This then leads to makeup air being sucked from under the building which can be harmful as it can contain radon, other chemicals and moisture which can lead to mould and illness.

Natural ventilation - This is the opening of windows and doors to increase the air flow through the building in order to bring in fresh air. Although this can improve the quality of the air inside the building it does have its drawbacks such as - air is not distributed evenly as the air flow cannot be controlled, outdoor pollutants such as mould spores and pollen can enter the building creating more problems, not enough wind can mean that little ventilation takes place, too much wind can make indoor air humidity levels drop too much.

Mechanical ventilation - This is the use of air conditioning and heating systems to improve the quality of air within a building. By using this type of ventilation the user can control the air quality inside a building and add or remove fans when needed. By controlling the ventilation like this and opening doors and windows when possible a continual supply of fresh air can be created indoors.

Using a trusted method to provide a source of fresh, clean air indoors is the best method for reducing illnesses such as asthma, hay fever and many viral illnesses. Although there is no way in which these illnesses can be eliminated it is essential that you do all you can to keep the air you breathe fresh.

Make sure your local HVAC professional cleans your home and office ventilation systems. Before you know it, your residential or commercial property and its users will be benefiting from well ventilated air that is free from pollutants and germs.