There is a renewed need for mechanical filtration in our homes, as the technology that has become part of the house helps to work more efficiently, leading to a need for maintain air quality in much tighter quarters. This need is very significant, as the American Lung Association has compiled a list of correlations between asthma and lung health issues and the tightening of our homes and introduction of new chemistries to our indoor space. This one-two combo of new and increased pollutants and the smaller enclosures has led to the only possible solution; one must do what is needed to ensure that the air in our homes is fresh and pollutant free.
What is in our air?
It can be hard to fathom, but the air around us contains particulates. Some particulates you can see, for example those within a sunbeam, but most you are unable to see. Those we cannot see are the worst kind, such as VOCs. These threats are the most harmful.
The solution is to design and install a ventilation system. The system should filter air for all areas of the home, and the system must meet ASHREA standard 62-02. This states that the air movement should be 7.5 cubic feet a minute per bedroom plus and additional 0.01 CFM per square foot. A good rule of thumb is to have around 50 CFM for a 1900 square foot, average home. There are two principle design strategies to designing the ventilation system – exhaust and supply systems and air to air heat recover systems.
Exhaust and Supply Systems –
This system’s primary mechanism is the placement of an exhaust fan, typically on the second floor. This fan runs quietly either on a low speed continuous or high speed intermittent. This fans placement may allow it to piggy back other parts of the system, but over all the system uses the exhaust fan to take out fresh air for the inlet. The entire system can be modified by removing the exhaust fan and letting the air handler draw in fresh air. The cost of this system is between $400 and $1000, which is heavily dependent on the equipment used.
Air to Air Heat Recovery Systems –
This is a more expensive alternative that recovers some of its energy during its operation. The basic mechanism is that the exhaust passes by the incoming fresh air giving some of its heat (or cold) to the incoming air. These systems also have airflow adjustment to allow the system to work during exhaust. The price for the system can be from $1,800 and $2,500, again heavily dependent on the equipment utilized.
It is important to ensure that your home is free of airborne particles. Choose a high quality filter and a system designed for the needs of you home to ensure that the airborne pollutants are kept to a minimum. This is a necessary element to ensuring the respiratory health of you and your guests.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-01-30 05:41:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Study Shows Homeowners Using Landscaping to Save Energy and Water In this current day and age, where common activities among people include the tightening of wallets and the fearing of soaring energy bills, almost everyone has had to adopt some substantial practices inside and outside of their own homes. Americans are also incorporating techniques in their landscaping that are allowing...... -
Counting Down to Quality There are five common errors that builders make in the efficiency of energy, resources and health. There are far too many green builders out there that are completely missing the mark. There are five mistakes that are being perpetrated, but that you can avoid easily with the right know-how. #5:...... -
The Truth of Green Product Claims If you are confused when it comes to green building products and the claims that are being made by their manufacturers, you are not the only one. Navigating the complex world behind green products and the claims that they make is not always easy, but it has become necessary in...... -
Green Building Materials Green Construction is the practice of building in a way that increases efficiency of the use of materials like energy, water and other materials and resources while reducing the impact on human health and the environment during the process of building through more efficient design, site selection, construction, operation, maintenance...... -
Sensible and Cost Effective Green Building Green construction has to be neither cost prohibitive or complicated, according to experts at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference. According to these experts, building homes that are green and energy efficient does not have to be rocket science at all, but rather you can build a very efficient home at......