Imagine waking up in a cosy, warm bedroom, free from the dampness and musty odours that once plagued your home. As you walk to the kitchen, you notice the windows are clear and no longer clouded with condensation. The air feels fresh and clean, thanks to your new ventilation system. You take a deep breath, enjoying the improved air quality and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family’s health is protected. With a simple investment in proper ventilation, you’ve transformed your living space into a comfortable, inviting haven—a place where you can truly feel at home.
Nobody wants a damp and musty home, but it’s one of our biggest challenges as homeowners, affecting our well-being and standard of living. New Zealand homes have poor ventilation and lack proper insulation, resulting in cold, uninviting indoor temperatures and unsightly condensation on windows, especially in the winter. However, with the right solutions and a commitment to creating a healthier living environment, homeowners can transform their homes into warm, dry, and comfortable havens.
What is the minimum requirement for ventilation?
New Zealand’s building code for ventilation sets a baseline standard to ensure optimal air quality and comfortable moisture control. Rooms need natural, fresh ventilation through openings like windows or doors.
To ventilate a room without windows, or if natural ventilation is insufficient, such as kitchens and bathrooms, extractor fans must provide a continuous air supply and be vented outside. Proper ventilation is essential to prevent the oppressive buildup of humidity and mould.
How can I ventilate my home without losing heat, and what’s the most effective ventilation system?
We all want to live in a home with effortlessly maintained warmth and comfort. An automatic ventilation system helps by effectively reducing condensation and making it much easier to heat your home. It’s also much more effective than opening windows, which let in the chilly air! The best and most widely used ventilation systems in New Zealand are a HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) system and a DVS (Dehumidifier Ventilation System).
What does a HRV system do?
A HRV system is designed to significantly enhance your home’s indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Imagine breathing in revitalising, fresh air every day!
It works by continuously extracting stale, moist air inside the building and replacing it with fresh, filtered air from outside. As the stale air is expelled, the HRV captures the heat (or cooling) from that air stream and transfers it to the incoming fresh air.
The HRV system controls humidity levels, reduces condensation, and safeguards against mould growth by replacing humid indoor air with drier outdoor air. The incoming air is also filtered to sweep away dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants so you can be sure of breathing in nothing but pristine, refreshing air.
What’s the difference between ventilation and heating?
Ventilation brings in fresh outside air and helps dry out moisture, making heating more effective by drying the environment first. The high-performance ventilation system optimises airflow and creates an unparalleled indoor atmosphere. Heating systems, such as heat pumps, recirculate inside air to warm it without bringing in fresh air from outside. Unflued gas heating appliances may heat a home, but they also add moisture, which is counterproductive to a cosy, warm atmosphere.
How much does a ventilation system cost to install?
Ventilation systems are an investment for your well-being, often priced affordably around $2,000-$3,000 for a basic four-room residential system. However, each home is unique, varying in size, environment, and the number of people who inhabit it. One type of ventilation system is pricier than the other more basic system, because it includes a heat exchanger unit, but its unparalleled effectiveness makes it worth the investment. The cost also varies depending on the number of ceiling vents needed to optimise airflow.
We can help you choose the best ventilation system for your home and install it for you. Contact us here.