How important is proper ventilation at home?
Appropriate circulation and constant access to fresh air have a significant impact on our health, quality of life, and the condition of our building. In inadequately ventilated rooms, mold and fungi may form on the walls, which pose a direct threat to health. Staying in a room where the walls are covered with fungi may cause problems with concentration, general irritability, or trouble falling asleep. Longer contact with substances secreted by fungi may even cause serious diseases. The optimal air humidity in rooms should be between 40% and 60%. Not only high humidity levels are harmful to our health. Dry air also causes negative effects on our body, including: dry skin and respiratory problems.
Properly performed home ventilation, ensuring continuous air exchange in the building, also limits odors that may be generated, for example, during food preparation. That's why it's so important that it works properly.
Gravitational and mechanical ventilation – the most important differences
Modern construction is characterized primarily by excellent thermal protection parameters and high tightness of window and door structures. However, maximum insulation of the building may negatively affect proper ventilation of the rooms. In most buildings, we can find two types of ventilation: gravitational and mechanical. How do they differ from each other? Gravitational ventilation is based on the natural flow of air in the building through ventilation ducts. It works under the influence of the temperature difference inside and outside the building, based on natural convection. Mechanical ventilation, on the other hand, is also based on ventilation ducts, with the difference that the air flow is forced by fans. Most often, this type of ventilation can be found in bathrooms, where the ability to effectively remove moisture from the room should be even greater than in other rooms.
Advantages of recuperation
Heat recovery is a type of mechanical ventilation. Air exchange is forced by a system of fans in a device called a recuperator. In addition to controlling the force of clean air blowing in each room, recuperative ventilation has one major advantage - it can recover heat from stale air, which is partially filtered and reused. The recovered heat is used to heat freshly incoming air, which is taken from outside. The entirety guarantees excellent ventilation and filtration parameters, while retaining a large amount of energy, which also translates into reduced heating bills. Recuperative ventilation is used primarily in passive buildings. Due to its construction, it is also recommended in new buildings where ventilation ducts can be easily installed.
Woodwork solutions affecting ventilation
Window joinery has a significant impact on air circulation in the house. By opening the window, we bring fresh air into the rooms and get rid of moisture. However, modern windows are characterized by high tightness, which negatively affects gravity ventilation in the house. The solution to this problem are accessories installed in windows: fittings with tilt and micro-ventilation functions, or air vents. All these solutions can be found in DAKO windows, regardless of the type of material they are made of.
Fittings with micro-ventilation function
Micro-ventilation is a solution that allows a constant supply of fresh air without having to open the window. It involves slightly moving the window sash away from the frame, thus creating a gap through which fresh air flows. This is an ideal solution for those who are looking for a way to maintain appropriate indoor air quality while minimizing heat loss.
Windows with tilt function
Hinged windows are extremely useful in terms of ventilation. They allow for safe, controlled opening of the window, allowing air to flow without having to fully open it. This is especially useful in the colder months when we want to quickly and effectively replace the air in the room without significantly lowering the temperature.
Window vents
Air vents mounted in the window frame are another effective way to ensure adequate air circulation. They are designed to be discreet and aesthetically matched to the window frames, so they do not disturb the appearance of the window. They ensure a controlled supply of fresh air into the room, while reducing the risk of excessive heat loss. Air vents installed with DAKO windows can also be equipped with a hygrometer that controls the opening of the air vent depending on the air humidity inside the building.
Summary
Correctly performed and functioning ventilation in our home has a significant impact on our health and well-being. It is worth ensuring its proper operation by bringing fresh air into the house. For this purpose, it is best to use the possibilities offered by modern window joinery.
