About Us - Home Ventilation Sydney
Shaun and the team at Ventilate Your Home are fully qualified and licensed with over 35 years of combined experience in the industry. The team includes a licensed electrician with extensive experience in home ventilation in the Sydney area and surrounds.
What is Subfloor Ventilation?
Definition: Subfloor – the enclosed space (under or adjacent) between the natural ground and your floor level.
Subfloor ventilation is all about creating airflow, either passive airflow or by the use of a mechanical ventilation system.
How do you know what size fan to use?
Fan size is based on the cubic metre area of the space that you wish to ventilate. We calculate the air changes per hour required and recommend the appropriate fan size (product) for your space.
How much will it cost to run the fan(s) per year?
The running cost for in-line fans are approximately $50 to $200 per year. This depends on the size of the fan unit required.
Do the fans require any maintenance?
No general maintenance is required for the in-line fans. Flatmaster brand products will require a filter replacement every 2 years. For Drimaster products, there are filters that need to be replaced every 5 years.
Is there a Warranty on the products?
Usually there is a minimum of 2 years. A warranty of up to 5 years is available on different fan products as provided by the Manufacturer.
What is PIV?
PIV stands for Positive Input Ventilation. An “in-house” ventilation system or “positive input ventilation" (PIV), is when naturally warmed air from a roof cavity is drawn into a fan that filters. These then freshen this air and delivers it back into the main living spaces of a home.
How can I get rid of Condensation?
Reducing the moisture content from the home will stop condensation. Sub-floor ventilation and in-house ventilation systems will also help to reduce condensation.
How does mould generate?
Mould spores are invisible and travel through the air, often generating in the sub-floor area beneath a home where it is damp and wet. These spores then move up into your home living spaces from the sub-floor area and settle on the backs of leather couches, on shoes in wardrobes, and in carpet and on curtains. You often don’t notice mould until you can smell it in the air or see it on your clothes or furniture.
This then makes the home an unhealthy living environment due to the poor air quality. Mould will generate in homes with over 60% humidity levels in the air. To solve this problem we recommend sub-floor ventilation or a PIV system to improve air quality and lower air humidity.
How do I clean the mould off?
Using a mix of vinegar and water or oil of cloves. Bleach can be used on non-porous and sealed surfaces like tiles but not on wood or other soft surfaces. There are also professional companies that deal with mould removal.
How do I get rid of mould?
To get rid of mould, you need to understand that the environment needs to change in your home. We will look at the cause of the mould problem in your house and advise on the steps to take. Often it is a sub-floor issue, and therefore sub-floor ventilation or an in-house ventilation system helps to resolve the issue.
How do I prevent mould?
- Implementing a ventilation system to keep the airflow moving. Freshening and filtering the air in your home will change the environment and reduce the chances of mould generating.
- Ensuring that trees are not overhanging and shading the house too much.
- Gas heating can contribute to moisture and condensation in your home, so minimise the use of these type of heaters.
- Minimising usage hot air clothes driers that blow out hot air.
- Ensure the bathroom exhaust fan blows the hot air externally out of the house, not into the roof space cavity or into another room.
What kills mould spores?
If your house is dry, mould spores cannot generate, so it is important to address ventilation first. But to clean and kill mould spores, use naturally brewed vinegar in a ratio of 4 parts vinegar, 1 part water, or with oil of cloves. There are also professional companies that also deal with mould removal.
How long do the fans need to run for?
Sub-floor fans need to be run for the majority of the day. Naturally this is when the evaporation process is happening and so this is when you need the fan to be exhausting any mould spores from the sub-floor area. Generally we run the fans on a timer from 8am until 8pm. PIV system fans run most of the time, however some are thermostatically controlled and will turn off when over 24 degrees C, or below 1 degree.
Are the fans noisy?
The fans we use are the quietest ones on the market - how noisy they are is dependant on where the fans are installed within your home. You may notice a slight humming sound equivalent to the white noise of the refrigerator whilst the fans are running.
What is “sick house” syndrome?
“Sick house” syndrome or “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is a medical condition where people feel unwell when in a particular home or building environment. The main symptoms are headaches, eyes/nose/throat irritations, fatigue, dizziness and nausea.
A World Health Organization (WHO) report suggested that 30% of all new or renovated buildings worldwide might be responsible for the illness due to poor indoor air quality and lack of adequate ventilation systems.