Advantages of having a ventilation system in your home

Are you aware of all the dangers of poor ventilation in your home? A good ventilation system can guard against all kinds of effects on your mental or physical health.

Five hidden dangers you can prevent with a ventilation system

There are lots of reasons why a ventilation system benefits your home. The right system can protect you and your family from these hidden risks.

1. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that can make you ill if you breathe it in. CO is released by appliances that burn gas, wood, oil or coal. It's colourless and odourless, so it's hard to detect. Ventilation is vital to ensure CO-free air.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, chest and muscle pain and shortness of breath. If you think you have CO poisoning, immediately stop using the appliance. Open the windows, go outside and seek urgent medical help.

2. Mental and physical illness

We spend nearly 90% of our time inside, so indoor air quality is vital to our physical and mental health. Poor ventilation causes fatigue and can reduce performance and concentration. Many people ventilate during the daytime but close the windows at night – especially in winter – and wake up tired or with a headache. A mechanical ventilation system is a solution to this problem.

3. Hot and humid conditions

Heat and humidity occur when many people are working in one space. This is particularly true in summer when your home workplace can be hot and stuffy. It creates discomfort, leading to fatigue and reduced productivity. Adequate ventilation results in better cognitive function. A ventilation system can make you feel more alert and able to face the challenges of day-to-day life and work.

4. Mould and rotten surfaces

Mould exposure can have negative health effects. People with immune problems or other issues are more likely to be affected. Black mould – sometimes called toxic mould – is one of the worst and can cause severe health problems as it releases mycotoxins. Research suggests that mycotoxins are linked to serious health problems in people who live in contaminated buildings.

Symptoms of mould poisoning include aches and pains, headaches, memory loss, nosebleeds and shortness of breath. Ventilation helps reduce the risk. It keeps humidity levels low with air that flows more freely. You can also reduce the risk of mould by fixing leaks.

The climate you live in will determine whether open windows or mechanical air ventilation is the better option. In a balmy, sticky climate, air conditioning will be your saving grace. If humidity is high, everyone in the home will feel uncomfortable. Opening the windows lets in more humidity, which can also damage wood furnishings or floors.

5. Bad air quality due to poor ventilation

Do you often feel under the weather at home? Do you frequently suffer from fatigue or headaches, or feel your house is stuffy? The solution could be as simple as better ventilation.

The average modern home is so well insulated that air doesn't get in through gaps or cracks as it does with older buildings. While insulation is great for energy saving, it's important to keep a building well-ventilated.

Everyday activities such as cooking or showering create moisture. Plants, pets and simply breathing contribute to air pollution inside the home. Lack of ventilation results in high humidity and carbon dioxide, which lead to problems such as coughing, headaches, fatigue, chronic colds, dehydration, asthma and allergies.

Factories and car exhausts also produce high levels of CO2 and other harmful substances in the air. Yet this air is cleaner than indoor air. Indoor air pollution is caused by cleaning agents, paint, fragrances, furniture and textiles. An air purifier ensures that unhealthy substances – such as fine dust, pollen and mould – are removed.

Good ventilation in your home benefits your health.

Prevent these five hidden dangers yourself, discover our Daikin ventilation systems.