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Ventilation

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Kitchen Exhaust Fan

Kitchen exhaust fans have to be sized properly for your kitchen. Overhead exhaust fans capture the smoke and grease mist that could coat your kitchen surfaces. Some of the cook exhaust fans come with built-in lights.



Clothes Dryer Venting

Venting your clothes dryer directly into the garage could be a building-code violation and a bad idea. Dryer vents exhaust a large amount of water vapor. Putting this condensation into your garage could create rust on unpainted surfaces, and worse, mold inside the walls and ceiling. Clothes-dryer venting should be to the outside.



Hot Garage Ventilation

Does your garage heat up like an oven? Once the heat builds up in the objects in the garage, they can radiate heat for hours after the direct sun is gone. Insulation and ventilation fans will help reduce the temperature inside your hot garage.



Attic Ventilation

To keep your attic cool, your attic ventilation requires moving massive amounts of air. More than natural ventilation will do. Attic ventilation fans or turbine roof vents will assist in moving the air. But, powered attic fans can draw your air-conditioned air out of the house.



Solar Powered Attic Fan

Consider an attic fan if your attic gets as "hot as blue blazes." There are solar attic fans available. They work great on a sunny day. But the solar powered attic fans do not work on cloudy days or when the sun goes down. However, the attic still has hot air inside at sunset.



Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Bathroom exhaust fans are vital components of your home's ventilation system. Bathroom fans not only exhaust offensive odors, they also pipe vast amounts of humid air to the exterior of your home. Bathroom vent fans come in all types and sizes, but I prefer the ones that have the fan motor located in the attic. These residential bathroom exhaust fans are the quietest ones I have ever used, and they are extremely powerful.



Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans can keep you cool and save lots of money. Not all ceiling fans work well. The best ceiling fans have balanced motors and blades. Ceiling fans keep you cool the same way a hurricane forms in the ocean. You can install ceiling fans anywhere you need cooling, even outdoors on a covered porch.



Dryer Vent

Dryer vents need to be cleaned on a regular basis. The flapper door on exterior dryer-vent housings must be checked for lint buildup. If lint builds up on the flapper to such an extent that it will not close completely when the dryer is off, all sorts of interesting things can crawl inside your vent and dryer.



Whole House Fans and Attic Fans

Whole house fans and attic fans are often confused. Solar attic fans are a new group of products that use solar energy to move hot attic air. Attic exhaust fans remove hot air from attic spaces, while whole house fans remove hot air from both living spaces and the attic at the same time.



Clothes Dryer Vent Leaks in Ceiling

Clothes dryer vents can actually create water leaks. If the clothes dryer vent pipe gets cold, the warm, moist air inside condenses and turns to liquid water. This water can leak from the vent pipes if the seams are not taped. The best way to stop clothes dryer vent pipe leaks is to make sure the pipe does not get cold.



Bathroom Exhaust Fan Leaks Cold Air

Bathroom exhaust fans can dump cold air into rooms if they are not installed correctly. There are several places the cold air enters the bathroom fan exhaust pipe and room. Inferior, low-quality fans are often the problem.



Whole House Fan in Cathedral Ceiling

Whole house fans provide enormous air movement through out your home. Install one in a home with a cathedral ceiling. It can be done.



Bathroom Fan Ventilation

Bathroom ventilation fans or dryer exhaust fans shouldn't be vented indoors. Vent exhaust air to the outside of your home to prevent mold or mildew from condensation.



Crawl Space Vents

Crawl spaces collect and condense water vapor. Crawl space ventilation is necessary to prevent mildew or rot. Vapor barriers may provide better protection than crawlspace vents.



Roof Ventilation with Turbine Vents

Turbine vents can replace the hot air in your attic in minutes. Mother Nature blows across the fins in the roof turbine vents as they exhaust the heat build up.



Ventilating Attics in Hot Homes

Exhaust hot attic air in order to cool your living space. Attic ventilation in the form of turbine and pot attic vents work with the wind to remove the heat.



Whole House Fans

A whole house fan needs plenty of exhaust area to work properly. Turbines or pot vents will help remove hot air as the whole house exhaust fan pulls it through the house.



Fresh-Air Intake Vents

Inlets for fresh air resupply the exhausted air in your home. Without this fresh air you have the potential for back draft of dangerous gases from your appliances.



Roof Turbine Vents

Exhaust moist, hot air from your attic. Turbine roof vents work with Mother Nature to pull this air outside...for free.



Ducted Bathroom Fan

Ducting of bathroom fans to the outside is a must. Mold will grow in your attic from the moisture. Bathroom exhaust fans should be ducted through the roof or the wall.



Continuous Attic Ventilation

Continuous ventilation is extremely important to avoid roof rot, reduce heating and cooling costs, and to maintain warranties of some asphalt shingles. Why was attic ventilation never an issue in older homes? Building practices have changed. If you are building new or updating an older home, give your home "lungs" to breathe through air exchange in roof or ridge vents and soffit vents.



Ventilation Primer - How Much is Needed?

Proper ventilation depends upon the type you use. Attic ventilation should be in the ratio of 1:300 minimum per model code. Most of your vents should be in the lower venting area, and the remainder should be upper roof or ridge vents. Read on for clarification.



Calculating Ventilation Area of Attic

Determine the amount of ventilation needed for your home with this formula. Calculate the square footage of your attic and provide proper attic ventilation with the right number of roof vents, ridge vents or soffit vents.



Continuous Ventilation Products and Information

Products for continuous ventilation of your home are made by these manufacturers. Attic vents, roof vents, ridge vents and soffit vents keep roof rot at bay. Find more attic ventilation information at these sources.



Attic Ventilation Alternatives

A whole house fan or ventilation with mechanical or solar powered roof ventilators have requirements different from those of static continuous ventilation mechanisms. Attic ventilation with powered devices needs adequate soffit vents -- or you will waste money!



Hip, Ridge and Soffit Ventilation

Ridge vents and soffit vents are a necessity to keep roof rot problems out of new homes. Houses release moisture into attics. Ridge attic vents remove wet air quickly.



Installing a Clothes Dryer Vent

Whether installing a clothes dryer vent in the basement, wall, or roof, venting exhaust to the outside is a must. These dryer vent tips will help you get the lint out, keep the rain and cold where it belongs, and help you understand and accomplish the task with less personal "exhaust".



Weathervane and Cupola Tips

A weathervane or cupola can add a distinctive touch to your home. Weathervanes should be balanced or they will not function well. Cupolas can serve both as decorative architectural features as well as provide vital attic ventilation.



Cupola Installation Tips

Installing a cupola is not the easiest task. Some cupolas come with great instructions, others not. You must match the roof pitch, center the cupola, add flashing and blocks, ... and take great care up on the roof!



Weathervane and Cupola Manufacturers

Looking for weathervanes or a cupola to decorate or ventilate your home? Try lumber yards, home centers and the internet. I've listed some companies with amazing selections and information.



Cupolas

Cupolas can be used as a decorative attic ventilation device or stylish decoration. Make sure to keep them leak free with flashing or by caulking the screws.



Cooling Comfort With Whole House Fans

Cool your home with a whole house fan when humidity is not high. The trick is coordinating the proper windows to open with the fan to create a comforting breeze. Read these tips on choosing velocity for your whole house fan, some simple maintenance and consider a timer for the most comfort with whole house fan ventilation.



Whole House Fan Sizes and Manufacturers

Manufacturers of whole house fans are varied in size. This list of companies and table of whole house fan capacities are geared to help your decision process.



Whole House Fan Installation Tips

Whole house fan installation can usually be accomplished with minimal attic alterations. Size your whole house fan properly for good ventilation, provide proper exhaust area and adhere to correct electrical code. If you have blown in insulation, follow these tips to install your whole house fan and keep your insulation in place.



Cooling With Mother Nature and Whole House Fans

Whole house fans move lots of air quickly. They can even provide a breeze through your rooms. Air conditioning should be used when the attic fan cannot provide comfort.



Ventilation - Keeping Home & Attic Cool Naturally

Ventilation from natural wind movement through ridge vents and soffit vents will help keep your attic and home cooler. Proper attic insulation and a whole house fan can also save energy costs and add to your comfort.



Insulation Values for Existing and New Homes

Determining insulation needs can be tackled with help from the Department of Energy. Try these resources to understand what is needed to bring your insulation r values up to minimum code or higher.



Continuous Ridge and Soffit Vent Manufacturers

These manufacturer websites offer superb information about ridge vents and soffit vents and a look at an amazing array of attic ventilation products.



Powered Attic Fans - Attic Insulation Facts

Attic ventilation should not be done using a powered attic ventilator. They pull air conditioning out and may return combustion gas. Ridge vents are the answer.



Clothes Dryer Vent Tables

Use these clothes dryer vent tables to determine maximum potential distance between your dryer and the clothes dryer vent to overcome friction. Properly connecting a dryer to an outside vent terminal requires attention to the type and length of the pipe, the number of pipe bends and the shape of the dryer vent terminal.



Roof Dryer Vent Hood Manufacturers

Check these manufacturers to locate retailers for a specialized dryer vent hood for the roof. Since bathroom and exhaust fan manufacturers also make these roof dryer vents, I've had great success locating this great item at light fixture showroom retailers. These clothes dryer vents for the roof are now improved with insect and varmint screens.



Clothes Dryer Vents

Clothes dryer vent installation improperly done will cause problems in your home. Condensation will cause mildew. Lint build up is a fire hazard.



Fix Leaks - Save Humidity in Your Home

Getting zapped by the carpet in the winter? Humidity is suffering. Air are leaks the culprit. Plug the leaks to keep dry, cold air from robbing your comfort and fuel budget by depleting humidity in your home.



Humidifier Manufacturers

Looking for a humidifier? Contact these manufacturers for literature and nearest distributor. Look for ease of maintenance when shopping for humidifiers.



Humidity Settings vs. Temperature / Humidity Tables

If humidity in your home is low, and you are getting zapped, you likely have air leaks. Plug them, or get a humidifier. Avoiding condensation within a tight home is not easy, however. You must adjust the humidity down as the outside temperature falls to avoid indoor "rain" on your windows and elsewhere you may not see. Use this relative humidity chart to keep comfortable as the temperature changes.



Indoor Humidity, How Much?

Cool air intake can lower humidity causing static electricity. Water vapor exhausts causing condensation. Check your humidifier and seal areas cold air enters.



Exhaust Fans - Installation Tips / Kitchen and Bath

Install exhaust fans in the kitchen or bath by following instructions carefully. Most problems with kitchen exhaust fans or bathroom exhaust fans are derived by taking liberties with proper installation as given by the manufacturer. These tips will provide guidance to proper installation of your ventilation fans and avoidance of fire or other unhappy results.



Exhaust Fans for Kitchen and Bath

Exhaust fans help maintain a great indoor environment. Indoor activities, especially in the kitchen and bath, produce pollution that needs to be exhausted to the outside. Select the proper sized exhaust fan, install it correctly per manufacturer specifications, and provide for some makeup air, and your home ventilation will do its job.



Exhaust Fans Manufacturers - Kitchen & Bath

Ventilation, with kitchen exhaust fans and bathroom exhaust fans, is provided by these manufacturers. Visit their websites for great tips and be mindful of CFM ratings and static pressure.



Sizing an Exhaust Fan

Use this table to calculate the Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) capacity needed for an exhaust fan in a specific room. A ventilation fan should meet at least the minimum standard CFM to provide proper exhaust. Before you install bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans, start here to determine what you need to proceed for proper ventilation.



Bathroom and Kitchen Ventilation Fans

Exhaust fans do a great job when properly installed. Kitchen exhaust fans and bathroom exhaust fans vented into the attic can cause condensation and damp ceilings.



Attic Ventilation - Ridge and Soffit Vents

Attic ventilation is so important. Ridge vents and soffit vents can remove heat and prevent frost problems through the changing seasons.



Whole House Fan Tips

Ventilation and cooling with whole house fans can be very effective and energy efficient if the air is not highly humid. Open windows in rooms in use while operating these exhaust fans, and the breezes created will be cooling and comfortable. Follow these whole house exhaust fan tips for sizing, installation, air balance, maintenance, safety and other important considerations.



Whole House Fan Manufacturers

Whole house fan manufacturers are listed here. Contact them for literature on whole house fans and to inquire about maintenance, sizing and exhaust fan features. They love to hear from us!



Whole House Fan Sizing

Whole house fans are great for moving hot, stale air from your home. Home ventilation will work if you size the fan correctly and provide intake and exhaust areas.



  







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