Ventilation for healthy indoor air

Why we need good ventilation

Between smoke, dust, vapors and cleaning product residue, indoor air is often 2-5  times worse than outdoor air. Because we spend 90% of our time indoors, good ventilation is essential to good health. Children are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.  In addition to reducing sources of air pollutants, good ventilation is important to ensure healthy air.

Fans and vents

Fans and vents draw stale air out of your home or bring fresh air into your home. Making sure that air is circulating will prevent mold and mildew, ease allergies and asthma, keep you safe from pollutants, and protect your home from damage. 

How do I know I need better ventilation?

• If cooking scents and odors tend to linger
• If  you smell mold or mildew in closets or walls
• If your eyes get irritated indoors
• If you notice condensation on the inside of your windows or on cold surfaces

Spot exhaust fans

Spot exhaust fans draw air away from the source and vent it to the outdoors. Sometimes, these are the only vents that exchange air with the outdoors. They can be useful to get air moving throughout the house, if doors to the kitchen or bathroom are left open and fans running.

• Look for exhaust fans in your bathroom, over the kitchen stove  and in laundry rooms.
• Be sure the vents lead to outdoors, and not into an attic or crawl space.
• Be sure the vents are clean and unblocked both indoors and where they release air outdoors.
• Test fans to see if they are working well enough to draw air out.
  
• Be sure to turn them on when you wash or cook!
  

General ventilation in the home

Opening a window and turning on a window fan will improve general ventilation in mild weather. Sometimes, air exchange with outdoors happens through cracks around windows and walls. But if your house is weatherized, or if you notice air quality problems, you may need help to install a system to bring air in and out of your home. Most home heating and cooling systems move air around, but do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house.

Air cleaners

According to the EPA, a good air filter with a HEPA filter can remove particles such as dust, smoke and allergy triggers. But air cleaners aren’t efficient at removing gases. They are not a substitute for fresh air circulation.

A word about radon

More air quality resources

National Asthma Education and Prevention: How asthma-friendly is your child-care setting?

Homeowner’s guide to ventilation; New York State Energy Research And Development Authority

US EPA, The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: How to Get The Ventilation You Need