Subfloor ventilation for good health and well being
Subfloor ventilation and ventilation in general is an intrinsic part of our good health and well being. If we give little attention to it, it will cause us problems.
Mould and mildew propagation affects the respiratory tract. Before this become apparent, a tell tale sign is the presence of a musty smell inside the living area. This is very common in dwellings that are built on piers when the subfloor ventilation is inadequate.
In a dwelling built on a slab this will occur where internal humidity is entrapped, which is caused by ironing, cooking, unducted clothes dryers, showering, bathing and living in close proximity to the ocean. The solution for houses built on concrete slabs is to improve the internal ventilation.
This is done by installing Envirofan ventilation systems. As shown above these systems are designed for built-in wardrobes. The really good design feature of this unit (EF1) is that they are usually solar powered, which means it is totally automatic and is beneficial for the environment. It can also be installed on a low voltage transformer. Other application where the EF1 (or the mighty mini as others call it) can be used is in refrigerator alcoves in caravan or at home or forced ventilation for eco toilets and out houses.
In subfloor ventilation, dual fan or quad fan systems are used. This expels the entrapped humidity outside via solar-powered low voltage fan-forced systems. This is beneficial to the occupants in improving the air quality inside the home and for the homeowner in ‘minimizing the opportunity for termites to establish themselves within the property’ by reducing the moisture in the sub-floor area as stated by the ‘Termite Inspection Report’ in accord with AS3660.
17-Apr-2007