The air quality in your home is very much dependent on the exhaust fans and system for controlling the air in your home by letting the bad air out and keeping the good air inside. Some homes just have exhaust fan systems in the kitchen and bathroom while others have exhaust fans throughout the entire home. Depending on the setup you have and the size of your home, you can make some dramatic home air quality improvements with the installation of a whole home exhaust system.
Exhaust fans work around the clock to pull out odours and excess moisture that you don’t want in your home. They function by pulling the air out of the room they are installed in to improve the air quality in your home. You are likely most familiar with exhaust fans in your bathroom that can help to pull out the moisture during a hot shower for example. While you may also have an exhaust fan in your kitchen which helps to remove smoke and odours from your home while you’re cooking.
In addition to removing odours and humidity, exhaust fans also help to cool down certain areas of your home such as the kitchen by removing hot air during cooking. This can help to make your home cooling system more efficient when you are cooking or performing activities in your home that create heat. All in all your home exhaust fans are part of your home comfort system that includes your home heating and cooling system such as your air conditioning and furnace. If you have a whole home exhaust system this can be helpful during the winter time as well to help improve the air quality in your home while your windows are closed to trap in the heat. This is especially helpful if you haven’t changed your furnace filter in a while and there may be additional dust or particles in your home during the winter months. Your HVAC system likely will have an exhaust system that will contribute to improving the air quality in your home as well.
On the note of air quality, it is important to check your furnace filter this time of year. Even though the warmer weather is approaching us in Ottawa, it is a good idea to clean or replace your furnace filter to ensure that the air quality in your home is healthy this time of year and that you and your family are not breathing in unnecessary and harmful particles.