Most good builders follow a simple but effective construction strategy. They construct homes that are extremely tight, with a well-designed ventilation system. The truth is, you can save more cooling and heating energy by living in a tight house than with a ventilated one.

There are three ways of achieving mechanical ventilation: exhaust-only supply-only, and balanced.

Exhaust-Only

Exhaust fans (bathroom, whole-house fans or kitchen fans) “depressurize” the area, leading to infiltration from the air outside through different openings and cracks. Places where winters are intense, exhaust-only ventilation is enough as they do not cause damage that may happen because of moisture. As summers are shorter and relatively moderate in places with cold climates, the building is very unlikely to get marred by drawing hot and humid air. On the contrary, exhaust-only strategies are not the best option for places with hot weather conditions.

Supply-Only

Supply-only systems pull clean outer a

There will be times when the air system within your house may not work properly. The primary issue to diagnose is surplus infiltration (through ducts or walls), improper air exchange, and surplus moisture. A lot of times, too much moisture is an indication of a bad air flow. If you also notice mold, condensation, or ice buildup, you will realize that the quality of your air is off.

Excess Infiltration

Surplus air infiltration normally leaves typical “fingerprints”. One of the most noticeable is when you feel a certain draft, especially during winter time and particularly when you stand close to the exterior walls. A sign which is a little less obvious is recurrent discharges of static electricity during winters because of low indoor humidity levels. Also be observant of “ghost” trails of dust close to the poorly sealed boundaries. Such tracks are extremely common on carpets close to the exterior walls.

In case you have HVAC equipment within the attic, the ductwork may be the reaso

When it comes to energy efficiency, it is not only related to saving money on the bills, it is also about making use of less energy for protecting health, ensuring comfort, and securing the house from any kind of damage. When air travels around the house, it gets rid of pollutants such as, gases, odors, particles, and even moisture. However, it may also cause uncomfortable indoor temperature, drafty walls and humidity levels. Right kind of air distribution and ventilation plays a very important role in offering a comfortable, safe, and durable home.

How does the air move in the house?

Basics of ventilation:

In almost all houses indoor air is exchanged with the outdoor air. This is due to two main reasons. Firstly, every house has some leaks (or passages), no matter how small, that tend to join the outside and the inside. Such gaps may include larger ones around pipes, chimneys, vents and small cracks at the window joints. Another reason that causes the air to exchange is that the

During winter, a lot of houses become inhospitable for houseplants. Several spaces are drafty, others are over-heated, and some have less natural sunlight coming from the windows.

Here are some houseplants that are easy to care even during the winters.

ZZ plant:

This is one of the hardiest plants you will find, which makes it the perfect option. The thing that makes this plant especially notable is its extraordinary ability to survive in areas with less natural light. Though this plant can also survive in brighter areas, its capability of thriving in the dark is what makes it a great option for the winters.

Maidenhair fern:

Several varieties of fern do not require a lot of sun light as they are used to thriving in forests, completely shaded by trees. However, ferns do demand high humidity and have to be misted and watered frequently. Therefore, this plant is only for those who are hands on. While most houseplants like to dry out after being watered, ferns prefer staying moist. M

If you wish to enhance the comfort in your house, a ductless heat pump is one of the best solutions you will find. However, how do ductless pumps really work, and how are they the most efficient option for air conditioning and heating?

Working of mini splits:

Mini splits are also popularly known as ductless mini splits or wall-mounted units. Ductless heat pumps come with two parts: an outdoor condenser as well as an indoor evaporator coil.

Heat pumps –ductless and traditional – have the capability of providing heat during winter times and cool air during summers. They are very similar to air conditioners. The only difference is they have a reversing valve, enabling them to work backward by sucking out heat from outside and transferring it inside your house during chilly winter months.

One of the greatest differences between normal heat pumps and ductless ones is that the air is ushered inside through a built-in air handler, which helps to eliminate the requirement for ductwork.

If you suffer from allergies, there is a big chance that you have searched for every method to filter those allergen particles from your home. It is advised that those suffering from asthma and allergies upgrade to an efficient air filter to keep the air particle free. However, what is the right air filter for allergies? Here is a closer look,

Air Filters make a very important tool for decreasing allergens

The dirt hidden under the rugs can hurt you or irritate your sensitive body. Your filters are a very important part for safeguarding the air quality of the house, especially when the right kind of air filter is utilized. Cheap air filters that are readily available from the hardware store do absolutely nothing for enhancing the quality of air within the house. They just serve for preventing big dirt, dust particles and hair from harming HVAC equipment (if altered regularly). However, the ordinary filters do very little towards removing dust mites, microscopic dust, pollen, mold,

Do you wish to add an air conditioning unit to your house without the pricy ductwork? Ductless air conditioners are a great option when compared to window AC units. They are less obtrusive, a lot more efficient, and permit you to open the windows during pleasant weather conditions. Ductless AC also offers heating during winters!

The money you may have to pay for buying and installing ductless air conditioning ranges from USD 3,000 to approximately USD 5,000 or even more. This price is greater than a normal window air conditioning unit, but a lot less than the central air conditioner, particularly if you have no ductwork. How much the entire system will cost you will depend on several factors such as,

Cooling needed

Do you wish to air condition and heat the whole house, or just a room? What kind of house do you reside in? Is it a ranch-style home or a comfortable condo? The greater the square footage, the greater and costlier the ductless system can get.

A ductless, one-room air c

August is a good time to get the house ready for the changing season by ticking off some of these things on your checklist.

Check all of your safety devices.

Make sure you test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and get all your batteries replaced as needed. Watch for the expiration date on the extinguisher and replace what is needed.

Remove all your window air conditioning units.

If you make use of window AC units, it is now time to either cover them with insulation or remove them. It is best to remove the units as this will help you to shut the windows, reducing loss of heat during the chilly weather. In case you choose to leave them during the coming months, make sure to buy insulating covers made for this purpose and attach them outside securely.

Use weather stripping.

The contemporary double-pane windows do not require weather-stripping; however, if you have old windows, then weather-stripping can assist in retaining heat and stopping drafts. Inspect areas that have w

Having an AC to keep you cool is a necessity during those hot summer months. But do you find your AC performing at its optimum? This is a good time to re-evaluate how well your unit is working. Is it being able to run efficiently? Or, is the air-conditioning struggling to perform with your electricity bills skyrocketing? If so, then it is time to get a replacement.

How to find out if you require an AC replacement?

The most sophisticated air conditioners will also require replacement at some point. When summer months are close, it is the right time to decide if you need a replacement. Here are a few things that can help you notice if the system is not performing well:

1. You hear odd noises: If you have had your AC for a few years, you must already know how it sounds when working. If suddenly it starts making odd noises, the unit may be asking for a replacement.
2. Higher than normal cooling bills: Rising rates of electricity can be a reason for the bills but inefficient and old air

If you keep your outside AC unit clean you can expect your system to run efficiently while prolonging its lifespan. If you want to clean your unit on your own then here are a few tips that can help!

How many times should you clean your outside unit?

For most owners, cleaning it twice a year is enough, once before winters as you will be using the heating and once before summers as you will want to turn on air conditioning.

What are the different supplies and tools needed to clean an outside unit?

Here is a list of tools that will come in handy when cleaning the unit:

1. Vacuum

2. Garden hose

3. Screwdriver

4. Replacement filter

5. Rags

6. Fin comb

7. Pipe cleaner 

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