How to Choose the Right Vent Exhaust Home System for New Builds or Home Renovations

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A well-designed vent exhaust home system plays a critical role in maintaining indoor air quality by removing extra moisture, odors and contaminants. 

Choosing the right vent exhaust system involves considering several factors, from determining the best placement and understanding how air moves throughout the home. 

The Importance of Proper Vent Exhaust in Home

Good ventilation is important in every part of the home, from the kitchen to the bathroom and the basement to utility rooms. Each room has unique airflow needs and the proper exhaust vent placement ensures maximum performance. 

Why Vent Exhaust Systems Matter for Every Room

Vent exhaust systems are important for every room because they help maintain air quality, remove excess humidity and ensure proper airflow. Proper ventilation also helps regulate temperature and can even improve energy efficiency by reducing the need for air conditioning or heating, helping drop utility costs.

How Vent Exhaust Systems Work: From the Interior to the Exterior 

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Understanding how vent exhaust systems work is key to ensuring the home stays comfortable and healthy. From kitchens to bathrooms and beyond, these systems efficiently manage air flow, moving stale air and moisture from the inside to the outside.

Vent Exhaust Systems for Kitchen, Bath, and Beyond

• Kitchen: a vent exhaust system removes smoke, cooking odors and steam from the air. This prevents lingering moisture and grease buildup. 
• Bathrooms: with effective exhaust systems manage high moisture levels from showers and baths. Without proper venting, excess humidity leads to mold and mildew, which can damage surfaces and create unhealthy breathing air. A proper exhaust fan will also control moisture and eliminate smelly odors. 
• Laundry rooms: good ventilation is vital for managing heat and excess moisture from dryers. An exhaust system will direct humid air outside, preventing any mold or mildew on the walls or appliances. This keeps the room dry, fresh and improves overall efficiency. 
• Utility rooms: that are home to heating and mechanical systems need proper exhaust to vent heat and gases safely. An exhaust fan helps regulate temperature and expels any harmful fumes.
• Basements: are prone to moisture and poor airflow. They can benefit from an exhaust system to regulate humidity and remove stale air to prevent mold growth, musty odors and future structural damage. 

The Path of the Air: How Air Moves from Inside to Outside

A vent exhaust system operates by drawing air out of a room through a fan or blower. It pulls stale air, moisture and odors from the interior of the home. This air travels through ductwork, leading to the exterior of the house. The importance of exterior vents or roof vents is their ability to ensure air is expelled efficiently and safely away from any living space.

Vents act as the exit point for the year, directing it outside versus allowing it to re-enter the home or build up in the walls or attic. Roof vents are essential for areas like kitchens and bathrooms, where hot, moist air is generated. They help prevent condensation buildup in attics, which eventually could lead to mold or structural damage. 

Choosing the Right Vent Exhaust System for New Builds and Renovations

Whether you’re working on installing an exhaust system in a new build or retrofitting a system in an older home, finding the right vent exhaust system is vital.

Vent Exhaust Systems in New Construction

With new construction, a major advantage is the ability to design and implement a vent exhaust system that perfectly suits the layout of the new home. Planning the placement of these systems during the initial design stages gives you flexibility to ensure optimal airflow. 

Having the square footage allows you to figure out the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air volume you need to ventilate any room in the home. For example, bathrooms need around 1 CFM per square foot, while kitchens will require more powerful ventilation. 

Kitchen range hoods, depending on their location, need different ventilation rates. If the range is against a wall, at least 100 CFM per linear foot is recommended. In an island, the rate should be around 150 CFM per linear foot. Downdraft exhausters require even more power to pull air in effectively.

Renovations and Retrofitting Vent Exhaust Systems

Retrofitting a vent exhaust system into an older home can be challenging due to the layout and structure limitations. Unlike new builds with their flexibility and planning from scratch, retrofitting requires working with existing walls, ceilings and floor plans that often weren’t designed for efficient ventilation. But while it is challenging, it is not impossible with the right solutions.

One of the most common solutions is installing exterior wall vents. These are often the easiest options as they don’t require structural changes. Exterior wall vents can work for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and more with minimal disruptions. Just be careful when planning the location as to not block any windows, doors or other important fixtures. Check your local building codes to see how far away exterior exhaust vents need to be from any intake vents.

When planning for exhaust ducts, always ensure the distance from the room to the exterior or roof vent is as short and straight as possible. For homes where wall vents aren’t feasible, roof vents can be a highly effective alternative. Roof vents are often used for kitchens and bathrooms when the layout is difficult to work with. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing A Vent Exhaust Outlet

The vent exhaust outlet is the opening or point where air is expelled from the exhaust system, typically on the exterior of a building. When choosing an outlet, location, how many rooms need ventilation, and understanding common issues that could arise are important.

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Location Matters: Where Should the Vent Be Placed?

Choosing the right location for the exterior or roof vent is crucial to ensuring the vent exhaust system works efficiently. Factors like roof slope, wind direction, aesthetics, and accessibility all play a role in determining the best spot for the vent.

• Sloped Roofs: For the best airflow and to keep water from getting into the vent, place it at the highest point or near the ridge. If the roof has multiple sections, make sure the vent isn’t blocked by things like chimneys or skylights.
• Exterior Vents: To keep the vent working well, avoid placing it where strong winds could push the exhaust back into the house. The downwind side of the house is usually the best spot.
• Roof Vents: Roof vents can actually work with the wind to pull air out more efficiently, so take advantage of those natural breezes to help things flow smoothly.

Homeowners often prefer vents placed in discreet spots to keep their homes looking good, but it’s important not to sacrifice performance for aesthetics. The key is finding a balance of functionality and visual appeal, while also considering accessibility. 

For example, roof vents should be easy to reach for installation and regular maintenance, like cleaning or repairs, so make sure they’re placed in a spot that’s both practical and safe for upkeep.

Venting Multiple Rooms: Balancing Airflow

Different rooms need different amounts of ventilation:

Kitchens: For every 400 square feet, aim for at least 100 CFM of ventilation. If you have a range hood, it should match the stove’s size. For example, a gas stove needs 100 CFM for every 12 inches of width.

Bathrooms: You’ll need about 1 CFM for every square foot of bathroom space. So, for a 10×10 bathroom, go for a 100 CFM fan.

Laundry & Utility Rooms: These spaces should get between 50 and 100 CFM depending on size. Don’t forget, the dryer needs to vent outside, not into the room.

The goal is to make sure airflow is balanced throughout the house. If some rooms feel musty or you’re hearing strange vent noises, you might need to adjust the vent settings or placement. Too much or too little ventilation can mess with comfort and energy bills.

Avoiding Common Venting Issues

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• Backdrafts: happens when exhaust gases like smoke or even carbon monoxide end up flowing back into the home. This could be due to vents being blocked or placed in the wrong spot. To avoid this, make sure vents are high up and away from objects like chimneys.
• Clogs: can form from dust, grease (especially in kitchens), or even animal nests. Over time, these block airflow, making the system less efficient. The solution? Keep ductwork short and simple, and clean the vents regularly.
• Moisture: re-entry is another big issue, especially in bathrooms or kitchens. If vents aren’t set up right, moist air can get pulled back inside, causing mold and damage. Keep fans close to the moisture source, and make sure vents are unobstructed.

Ensuring Efficient Ventilation with FAMCO

Choosing the right ventilation system depends on different factors, the room type and size it will be placed in, airflow requirements, if it is a new space or part of a renovation project, and of course, budget and maintenance considerations. 

With the right system, it is possible to improve air quality, manage moisture, and enhance comfort throughout the home. Visit FAMCO’s product page and let us help find the right ventilation solution for you! See how FAMCO supports the professional contractor and how you can request a consultation or customized product to fit your unique needs.