How Basement
Ventilation Works
1. EZ Breathe Ventilation System is installed on an exterior wall – requiring a 6-inch exhaust hole. The most popular location for the exhaust hole is through the rim joist above the foundation wall.
2. The EZ Breathe louvered exhaust vent is mounted on the outside of the house – just like a dryer vent! Includes fine mesh screen to protect from any pests entering.
3. The EZ Breathe telescoping chute fits any foundation wall height makes for easy installation.
– Standard chute – for walls up to 8′
– Extension chute – for walls up to 10′
– Crawlspace chute – for walls up to 5′
4. Set it and forget it control panel:
– Fan Speed = Medium – High
– Humidistat = 35% – 45%
The EZ Breathe Ventilation System will help improve the air quality by combating the natural “stack effect” (the law of physics that says warm air rises) in the home thereby allowing your home’s existing heating and air conditioning system to address the basement as well. EZ Breathe Ventilation System creates a much-needed path of escape for the dirty basement air and introduces the existing clean, dry air from upstairs to replace that damp, polluted air. No additional heating or cooling ducts are necessary, the EZ Breathe Ventilation System will assist the air in circulating throughout the entire home. The entire home will benefit from the increased air exchanges, creating a cleaner, healthier living environment you can see and feel!
Unfinished and finished basements both create risks for toxic exposure throughout the whole home. In an effort to make your home less toxic, it is important to control water leaks and water entry, from the basement into the rest of the house. Additionally, controlling mold is important as this toxin, more than any other will place your family at the greatest risk. The humidity and condensation in the basement is what most often creates a mold risk.
The Impact of Musty Basements
Musty basements are commonly accepted as normal but dangerous airborne microscopic spores from mold are responsible for the smell; triggering allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments. By removing the moisture, odors and contaminated air basement ventilation systems can create a healthy environment that will circulate throughout the entire home. Whether the basement is commonly occupied or not, finished or unfinished, its air circulation has a significant impact on the rest of the home’s air quality. A clean and healthy basement goes a long way towards a positive whole home health experience.
Prevent Excess Moisture and Mold Growth
Moist air can cause damage to furniture, appliances, and other materials (such as carpet) in your basement. Moisture in the air forms as condensation on the surface of objects, which is quickly absorbed, eventually causing the object itself to become damp.
To put it another way, if you wouldn’t pour a bucket of water on an object, then you shouldn’t leave it in a poorly ventilated basement. A poorly ventilated basement can be a haven for mold and mildew. According to the Center for Disease Control, mold is common in environments where there is a lot of moisture. Basement ventilation systems help to limit the amount of excess moisture in the air allowing for more natural breathable air.