Introduction to Ventilation

06/20/2016 0 Comment(s)

 

Introduction to Ventilation

 

The word ventilation is commonly defined in a dictionary along the lines of the replacement of stale or noxious air with fresh air. The term ventilation on the other hand, applies to an array of applications in which control heat, cold, humidity, radon, air cleaning, and many others functions. The only difference between the two is the persons understanding of the word. An HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) contractor’s definition of the word would be comprehensive when compared to that of an everyday person’s. The reason for this is the many components that fit into ventilation such as single or multi-stage systems, zoned systems, heating systems, cooling systems, humidifying and dehumidifying systems. Each system has its own purpose separately, but they can be applied cohesively to optimize the consumers comfort level.

 

Three Types of Ventilation:

  • Natural Ventilation - Is when the air in an area is changed without the use of any mechanical systems.
  • Mechanical Ventilation/Forced Ventilation - Is when the air in a space is altered through a mechanically operated system.
  • Hybrid Ventilation - Is when the process of circulating the air is done through both natural and mechanical ventilation.

 

Indoor Air Quality

 

The indoor air quality of a home is crucial to the well being of its occupants. Many homeowners invest in a variety of products to ensure that the air they are breathing is clean and at the right temperature. There are multiple methods which are used for this process; however they typically carry the same purpose, the removal or replacement of oxygen, moisture, smoke, odors, dust, airborne bacteria, or carbon dioxide. Unbeknownst to many, a common household can be full of dangerous pathogens, dry air, or even radon, which is a cancer causing natural gas which can be found in 20 percent of American homes with elevated levels.

 

Many residences end up installing devices to protect themselves from harmful gases and bacteria. The most commonly installed devices are air cleaners, radon mitigation fans, crawl space fans, and UV (Ultra Violet) air treatment systems. These devices all intertwine with the objective of neutralizing harmful odors and bacteria through their intricate design. These processes guarantee the user fresh flowing un-stagnant air, and ensure a longer lifespan for the consumer and his family.

Heating and Cooling Air Systems

Most ventilation systems follow the same protocols, whether it is to heat or cool a designated area. The process of heating and cooling are not alike but can be aligned in the category of ventilation for the purpose of providing comfort. Each system operates in its own specific way, and is usually transferred through forced air, central air, or other home ventilation systems.

Heating Air

 

A heating system simply controls the climate of a residence to fit that of a warmer nature. Either through hot air, hot water, or steam the heat is transferred through ductwork to heat all the desired areas. This process can be accomplished through the usage of furnaces, boilers, water heaters, tankless water heaters, and many others. The United States Department of Energy states that modern conventional heating systems can reach 97% efficiency, transferring close to all the fuel to heat used in a residence.

Cooling Air

A ventilation system for cooling air usually consists of a few components. The most commonly used forms of cooling air in a residence are spot ventilation, ceiling fans, window fans, and whole house fans. Natural ventilation is also a popular choice due to the effects of natural convection. These applications are usually combined with other methods such as proper insulation and radiant barriers to avoid heat buildup. Bigger systems in households can use ducts to distribute the ventilated air through the home.

Forced Air

The processed of forced air is extremely advantageous for any homeowner. This method provides aid in both cooling and heating systems by distributing cold or hot air through ductwork. This process is the sole distribution method used for cooling. By using the forced air approach the consumer is able to filter the air, among many other applications such as humidifying and dehumidifying. Typical applications used with forced air systems include:

Humidity Control

The word humidity relates to the amount of moisture found in the atmosphere or air. This water vapor is invisible due to it chemical compound being in a gaseous state. The control of humidity in any ventilation system is a must. Human comfort usually corresponds directly to humidity. High or low humidity has the ability to make a person extremely uncomfortable due to the human body’s side effects.

  • Humidifiers - Helps humidify environments which have dry air. Dry air can result in a number of health conditions such as respiratory ailments, skin irritation, and nosebleeds.
  • Dehumidifiers - Used to control the humidity in a residence which can cause the occupants high levels of distress, along with other health problems through the growth of mold, dust mites, and fungus.

 

Types of Ventilation Systems

 

Zoned Systems

 

Zoned ventilation systems are the ideal way to regulate temperature in a residential area. Through the setting set on the thermostat these zones are supervised and adjusted by dampers which are installed in the ductwork. These dampers are open and closed mechanically when they projected temperature is reached, or when the zone is not in use. This process maximizes comfort while also saving the consumer money on energy costs.

Single Stage and Multi-Stage

A typical single stage system is one where your air function is either on or off. This means that the system operates at full capacity outputting a set amount of heat or air per hour or is completely shut down. In a multi-stage system, the system has the capability to function at a lesser percentile than full capacity to maintain the constant temperature set. If the set temperature is changed, it will work at full capacity to reach desired climate and then continue to function at a lower rate, maintaining that temperature. Due to this feature multi stage systems are considered to be more energy efficient.

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