A couple of reasons why you need sub floor ventilation include:
- 1. Condensation builds up in homes that do not have subfloor ventilation systems ...
- 2. Gases can concentrate in homes without subfloor ventilation systems ...
- 3. Fires can escalate where there is poor subfloor ventilation ...
- 4. Subfloor ventilation helps to reduce moisture in floors ...
- 5. Home/office buildings with subfloor ventilation systems smell fresh and clean
Do I need sub floor ventilation?
Adequate sub floor ventilation is essential for all buildings with a sub floor. How much ventilation is required will depend on the building and the specific location. Factors such as type of soil, run off drainage, etc are all very important factors when evaluating sub floor ventilation requirements.
Why do you need airflow under a house?
Without ventilation, the humidity under the house has nowhere to go. Even if there are existing vents, the air flow might not be fast enough to extract the moisture. In this case, you may need an exhaust fan to mechanically remove the stale air.
How does sub floor ventilation work?
The subfloor ventilation system works by getting rid of the suspended damp air from your enclosed area and replacing it with warm drier air. The easiest way to do so is by installing multiple vents in the subfloor area that provide natural ventilation.
What are some considerations relating to sub floor ventilation?
Sub-floor ventilation must be provided to enclosed sub-floor spaces. Moisture escapes from the soil and is absorbed by the air above, raising the relative humidity of the air. This in turn will raise the moisture content of the framing members and flooring.
How much does sub floor ventilation cost?
How much does sub floor ventilation cost? Average between $2,500 – $4,500 depending on the size of the house and the volume of space that needs to be ventilated.
What happens if there is no ventilation?
Low oxygen levels Poor ventilation will result in an eventual build up of carbon dioxide and little oxygen, which means you could suffer from shortness of breath, headaches and fatigue.
How do I reduce moisture in my subfloor?
To guard against moisture problems in the subfloor, you can suggest that they place a dehumidifier in the room during the humid summer months if there is a risk of excessive moisture, especially if the floor was installed in a below-grade environment.
How do I ventilate under my house?
The following are more options for venting the crawl space: Transfer a small supply of heated air from the HVAC system into the crawl space. Use an exhaust fan to move air from the crawl space to the outside. Install an air intake or dehumidifier system.
Why is there a fan under my house?
Fans in the crawl space have two primary goals – reduce moisture and improve air quality. There is a huge misconception that outside air is “bad”. Sure, there are times of year or times of day when outside air can be too cold or too hot or too humid.
How many underfloor vents do I need?
Ideally, there should be at least two vents to facilitate circulation of air under the floor.
How much clearance does a subfloor need?
Most manufacturers recommend 0.125-inches at panel ends and edges. For some premium sub-floors, 0.0625-inches may be enough along panel edges, so refer to the installation instructions.
What happens when a house is too airtight?
One of the biggest dangers of a home sealed too tightly is trapped carbon monoxide. The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and tightness across the chest.
How does airflow work in a house?
Most HVAC systems ensure that air is distributed properly by means of supply and return vents. Once the machine properly cools or heats your air, it blows the air along ducts to the desired room, where the air then exits through a supply vent.
How do you know if your house has negative pressure?
Typical signs include:Doors that open or close on their own.Doors that become difficult to open.Whistling or other strange noises.Extreme air drafts.Differences in room temperatures (some are too hot while others are too cold)
What causes negative pressure in a house?
Negative pressure occurs when there is less air in your home than outside. To try and balance out the pressure, your house will find places — like poorly sealed doors and windows — to pull in air to try to balance out the pressure.
What is sub floor ventilation?
The principles of sub floor ventilation are quite simple, a well ventilated area that allows for fresh air to enter from different areas will generally result in a healthier sub floor area.
Why Buy a Sub Floor Kit from Pure Ventilation?
Cost effective solution – engaging a company in a site visit can cost many thousands of dollars , when ultimately you will end up with a similar solution that you could get from us at a fraction of the price!
How long does a Fanco subfloor fan run?
All kits come equipped with a timer so that you can specify the operating hours of the system. Generally running for 3-4 hours per day is sufficient. This kit has two intake points, one at opposite ends of the sub floor area. This is a good example of how an inline fan kit can service a large area. Our largest kits come with 18m of ducting and extra lengths can be added if required.
What is positive pressure subfloor ventilation?
Positive pressure sub floor ventilation means that the amount of air being forced into your sub floor area is greater than the amount that is going out. For this to work well it is imperative that you have enough passive vents for air to escape, otherwise you run the risk of musty odours and air entering the living space above. This can however be effective in literally drying out a damp area.
Why does my house smell like it's under my house?
This is because a moist environment rots timber and allows mould growth.
How many air changes per hour for subfloor ventilation?
For sub floor ventilation, we recommend aiming for between 6 and 10 air changes an hour, but it depends on the severity of the problem. If there is a lot of moisture under the house, you will need a fan with a higher extraction rate. Use our calculator to work out the capacity of the fan you need.
How to tell if moisture is coming up through soil?
It’s harder to tell if the moisture is coming up through the soil. Surface soil might appear dry, but hide a lot of moisture. As the moisture evaporates, it comes up through the soil and under the home. Without adequate ventilation, this moisture is trapped under the house with no way out.
Ventilation Systems
Particular attention must be paid to the method of air distribution to eliminate excessive air flows and sensitive areas.
Air Distribution Under False Floor
In the case of underfloor air distribution, the space between the floor of the building and the false floor is used as a means of conveying air for cooling equipment (see the following figure). Concrete floors may require special treatment to avoid dust emission. Air is released into the room via perforated tiles on the floor.
Combined Overhead and Underfloor System
For an air-conditioning system combining airflow above and below the floor, the primary air-conditioning unit is located in the room while the secondary unit is outside. Refer to the following figure.
Air Circulation
In an air-conditioning system with air circulation, the entire heat load of the room or zone, including the heat generated by the computer equipment, is absorbed by the air supplied to the computer room and zone or by a pressurized ceiling-mounted system.
Air Filtering
An efficient filtering system must be installed to filter all air supplied to the computer room. Since electrostatic and mechanical air purifiers operate on different principles, there is a specific evaluation method for each type.
Single Flow Ventilation
This technique helps you to renew the air inside the subfloor. It works in particular with the help of an electric extractor. This extractor is placed on a higher level in order to suck out the stale air from the inside. Then, fresh air is blown in (also known as fresh air).
Double-flow Ventilation
Here, an exchanger is required (hence the name "double flow"). In this way, the heat of the extracted air is recovered. The same heat is then sent to the supply air. There is no risk of a mixture between these two air streams: extract and supply air. On the other hand, it's all about the heat.
