Recent surveys by the United State of America Census Bureau’s Survey of construction indicates that in the USA, older and smaller homes are more likely to have a basement than large homes and that the popularity of basements has seen a decline.
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Basements are used for a variety of purposes such as entertainment areas, additional bedrooms, and storage spaces.
What are basement ventilation requirements?
The Basic requirement for ventilation as a minimum is the ability of a ventilation system to extract and introduce the same volume of air at an hourly rate, relevant to the sq. Ft of the area the system is used for, as well as its ability to condition the air to acceptable usage levels.
Because of their location basements are more prone to humidity build-up as well as mold growth and having insufficient or no ventilation can have dire consequences in the long run.
The EPA recommends maintaining humidity levels of between 30 and 50 % is optimal. A good ventilation system will have an approximate air exchange of 0.35 exchanges per hour, meaning that the volume of air in each area, in this case, the basement, is replaced 0.35 times per hour with “new or clean air”
What is a basement ventilation system?
A basement ventilation system helps to limit the amount of excess moisture in the air allowing for more natural breathable air. There are various methods and ways to introduce a ventilation system into a basement, there are solutions for the DIY’er and then solutions for the more experienced professionals
The 3 most common ways to ventilate a basement are by Mechanical means, Natural Means, or Portable means.
The mechanical ventilation system involves moving the foul air out and quality air in and around the basement utilizing fans, air vents and integrated air purifiers. In the case of this type of this, it will most likely be a permanent installation and might have to comply with local and state regulations. These regulations mostly revolve around filtration of spent air and the depositing of hazardous substances into the atmosphere
Natural ventilation moves air around the basement utilizing natural airflow through windows, vents, and other openings. This method will be ineffective in areas where the humidity is already high as the “fresh air” will contain moisture as well. This method might not be viable either if the air can’t circulate in the area.
Portable ventilation is used in areas where there are no openings, windows, or vents present and it is not practical to install a mechanical system. The type of system or method is dependent on the size of the area and the size of the problem.
Naturally the more sophisticated the system the more expensive it will be. Therefore, it is advisable to do a thorough inspection of your basement and to eliminate any other possible contributors.
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A professional might need to be consulted to ensure an adequate basement ventilation system is installed and the system will deliver the required airflow and humidity control. A professional will be able to guide you on local regulations as well.
How does ventilation work in a basement?
Because the humidity in the air will be different from place to place as well as different depending on the seasons it’s important to know exactly what you are setting out to achieve
A ventilation system, whether it is a DIY system or professional installation will ideally remove the moisture-filled air from the basement, replacing it with fresh air with less moisture. If there is less moisture, the chance of damp, mold, and rot setting in is greatly reduced and the basement will not be the dark, dank and clammy room nobody likes to go into.
Of course, it must be kept in mind that other sources may be the cause of the humidity or moisture in the basement such as walls that have not been damp sealed uncladded or poorly installed heat ducting and leaking water pipes, should these not be addressed, even the most sophisticated ventilation system will be ineffective.
How to get fresh air in your basement?
Assuming your basement has at least two windows, regular ventilation is a good alternative for dealing with humidity while saving energy in the process. Box fans can be fitted into the windows. Floor fans and a dehumidifier is another option that might assist with keeping a basement sufficiently ventilated.
Another choice is to introduce exhaust fans that interface with vents situated all through the basement. These fans can be introduced in windows or might require cutting through a divider to install. These units are often fitted with humidity sensors that trigger the fans when dampness is identified inside the basement.
This is, obviously, ideal for preventing build-up, mold, and water damage and will keep the humidity to an acceptable level. Another option would be to install an AC unit in the window frame (Also known as “WindowShakers”)
How many vents should be in a basement?
A general rule of thumb is that there is one vent for every 300 sq. Ft of basement area if the basement has been treated with a vapor barrier/damp sealer. In the case of the basement not being treated with a vapor barrier/damp sealer, more vents are advised, at least 1 vent for every 150 Sq. Ft of the basement area.
Having more vents than required would not be a problem either as vents can be open or closed depending on the need. Even though these vents are critical to the whole process, they must be secured against the ingress of pests and rodents.
Will a fan help reduce humidity in the basement?
To know whether a fan will help in reducing the humidity, it is important first to know what humidity is.
Humidity is the concentration of moisture that is retained by the air. The percentage of moisture retained in the air depends on where you stay, in places, with warmer ambient temperatures the air will hold a higher moisture content.
Humidity causes discomfort in warmer weather and can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
A fan on its own will not do much to reduce the humidity in a basement without additional considerations like vents or exhaust fans.
The dehumidifying process depends on bad air being forced out and good air being brought in. Adding a dehumidifying unit will be a great way to improve the fans process and foundations of the basement. Areas with less humidity will be able to get away with some strategically placed fans and dehumidifier units.
How can I test the air quality in my basement?
There are various ways to test for air quality using DIY tester and swabs. A good visual inspection from time to time can go a long way to identifying potential hazards that can affect good quality air. Mould and Mildew build-up is easily visible and should be addressed sooner rather than later.
Testing for Air quality is recommended on a routine basis, even more so if the following symptoms are experienced after spending a reasonable time in the area.
- Symptoms like dryness and irritated eyes
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath.
- Hypersensitivity and allergies.
- Sinus congestion.
- Coughing and sneezing.
- Dizziness.
It is advisable to purchase an indoor Air Quality monitor, as well as install carbon monoxide detectors. If correctly installed these monitors can give you a good baseline of the air quality in the basement. Installing an air-purifying unit will give added peace of mind.
Additionally, test the basement for mold and Radon, Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and does not have a smell, testing for it is the only way to detect it. Radon gas is associated with lung cancer if exposed to it for long periods.
Final Word:
When looking at ventilation systems for basements it is important to correctly identify your needs.
Equally important is to try and eliminate contributing factors, this could save you a lot of money.
Doing some research and asking professionals for advice is always recommended.