Good ventilation is necessary to prevent moisture build up in your home or commercial spaces.
How does moisture build up occur?
When an area does not have ventilation, there is no way for the stale air to go out and fresh air to come in. There are usually areas of wetness in your home or offices. It could be from the bathrooms, the kitchens, or damp from the floor. Our very breathing can cause a difference.
Have you ever breathed on to a mirror and seen the water vapor form on it? If you continue doing that in an enclosed space, you will soon see the water in the mirror start trickling down because when water vapor comes into contact with a cold surface, condensation occurs. This condensation causes dampness in the room, in the floor, walls and ceilings. This is one of the causes of moisture build up.
Another way moisture builds up is after the rains. During the rainy season, water seeps into the walls and ceiling and through the floor because of wet mud. If the place is not aired after the rains, it could lead to moisture build up.
One of the reasons that we see much more cases of moisture build up in houses these days is because the construction of buildings has become much better. Earlier buildings were not constructed as efficiently as they are now and there would be cracks and spaces through which air could circulate. But with the kind of air tight houses being built these days, there is absolutely no way for air to circulate.
What is the outcome of untreated moisture build up?
Moisture build up can cause mold and mildew to form on the surfaces of the house. This can start in the wet areas of the house and then permeate into the surrounding rooms. If left untreated, this can compromise the structure of your house. Mold and mildew have been found to cause a lot of health problems. You are breathing air that contains this particular form of bacteria. People who live in homes that have mold and mildew are more prone to respiratory problems.
How to prevent moisture build up?
Ventilation is the only answer to prevent moisture build up. You can leave your doors and windows open for a while everyday to let the air circulate. But in extremely damp places, even this may not be enough. Exhaust fans in wet areas are a wise choice. These days, there are energy efficient ventilation systems available that can be installed in the attic which will keep the air in your home circulating all the time, preventing moisture build up.
What is a good ventilation system?
Attic fans are a good ventilation system as they keep the air circulating 24/7. If you are worried about how much it would cost to keep the ventilation system running the whole time, you have a more affordable option. There are solar powered attic fans that run on the energy from the sun. So apart from the amount you will spend to purchase it, you will not be paying for the running of these ventilating systems. It will not affect your energy consumption or your electricity bills.
The popular choice for a ventilation system
Solatube have the Solar Star range of solar powered attic fans. These are very popular as they are easy to install, need very little maintenance and are energy efficient. They help in cooling and ventilating your home. Sunlight Concepts is the Bay Area dealer for Solatube products.
You can visit their websites at http://www.sunlightconcepts.com/ or call them at (408) 844-0081.
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