Picking the Best Ventilation Options for Your Home

Location, location, location is how one folk saying goes, but when it comes to proper home ventilation, not all locations and climates are created equally. Where some temperate climates may experience extreme drops and rises in temperature throughout the year, others remain pretty consistent or never really wander outside of an average range. To be quite honest, not only do your immediate surroundings matter, but the ventilation that should be in place is also directly affected by your climate.

The kinds of damage that poor ventilation can be wrought on your home include:

• Mold and mildew buildup
• Water damage
• Smoke/carbon monoxide buildup

So which areas should you pay attention to most regarding ventilation in your respective climate? Let’s find out.

Semi-Arid to Arid Temperate Climate

Boise is in a climate that would be considered a temperate desert. Precipitation in general is pretty slim and yearly temperatures range from 93F to 24F on average. In these types of semi-arid climates, mold and mildew typically have a hard time getting a foothold. If it does happen, it is most likely in the basement or lower dwelling of a home.

This would especially hold true if you plan on either converting your basement into another living space, or installing a basement laundry room. Both of these machines are capable of causing serious water and steam damage if not ventilated properly, so make sure your foundation vents are adequate.

But what about winter? Snow is not common, but when it does happen, it usually happens big. So anyone with a fireplace is going to want to make sure that their fireplaces are safe and functional. Also, passive damper vents are a great way to vent trapped indoor air without introducing pests, debris, or outdoor smells, as they close due to gravity when they are not exhausting. Having these in good working order before the winter is a great idea.

Oceanic Climate

Next door to Idaho is Oregon, which has an Oceanic climate that covers its western coastline and some miles inward. This area can see up to 200 inches of precipitation annually, and is very very prone to mold and mildew buildup. In areas like this, it is highly recommended that you run your bathroom fan for at least 15 minutes after a hot shower. The bathroom is one of the most common areas in any house where mold and mildew can occur, but when done in an oceanic climate, the consequences can make themselves apparent very quickly.

The same rule applies to the basement in these more moist climates as well. There are quick ways to remedy mold and mildew by themselves, but they typically reappear until the issue is fully addressed.

How FAMCO Can Help

FAMCO is one of the biggest manufacturers and distributors of HVAC equipment and accessories in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you are looking to upgrade your HVAC system to a zoned configuration, or do a one-off project with a buddy over the weekend, FAMCO has the parts to get you started. If you have any questions about our products and/or services, feel free to reach out. We will be more than happy to help.