For all building types, including mobile homes, proper humidity is essential for good health and comfort. The right humidity level in a mobile home is possible to maintain without condensation to the windows, walls or sills. In this article, we will be addressing the types of mobile home ventilation options and the steps you can take to freshen up the air in your home.
Ventilation basics
The temperature and pressure differences between indoor and outdoor air always move from high temperatures to low temperatures. Besides that, houses have places that leak air outside; through vents, chimneys or even small cracks. The replacement of the stale air from inside the house with the fresh air from outside the house is what is known as ventilation. Ventilation can either be natural through open windows or mechanical through fans. If the air movement from outside and inside is accidental, then it is called infiltration.
Importance of mobile home ventilation
Condensation reduction
Condensation is when humid air cools too quickly and can no longer stay in the form of vapor. This air moves to the coldest place and condenses to form water droplets. You typically see this happen on the windows and walls. If you do not control the moisture in your mobile home, it could cause mold, mildew, peeling wallpaper and even damage to the structure of your home. Good ventilation will help you regulate the temperature levels in your home and prevent condensation.
Control impurities
You may be surprised by how polluted the air inside your house might be. The air outside is always fresh, and so you need to have a good ventilation system in place to expel all the pollution, moisture, bacteria and other nasty whiffs that can create a bad odor.
Air regulation
Without a ventilation system in your mobile home, you will have no control over the airflow in your home. Too much fresh air could mean hiking of your energy bills. The risk of higher energy bills is an especially good reason to make ventilation a priority.
Health benefits
Indoor air as stated above consists typically of pollutants, and this could lead to some health issues for you and your family. Some of these issues include asthma, rashes, allergies, headaches, sinusitis, etc. You can avoid all of these ailments with proper ventilation.
Reduce back-drafting risks
When the air pressure inside your mobile home is lower than the pressure outside, your home will have negative pressure. With negative pressure, outdoor air is pulled in the home and is known as back-drafting. Back-drafting can be quite dangerous because if combustible gases like carbon monoxide are drawn inside the house and concentrated, it can cause asphyxiation. This is why you need a proper ventilation system.
Types of mobile home ventilation
Natural ventilation
Employ the natural ventilation method in your mobile home to get rid of stale air quickly. You can do this quickly by opening your windows and vents. Wind, air pressure and buoyancy help move air around and create natural air movement as well as ventilation.
Exhaust-only mechanical ventilation
Exhaust-only is a good mobile home ventilation system for areas with no natural ventilation. ย For example, use these in areas where it is needed most, like bathrooms and kitchens. This system can work intermittently or continuously. It works by throwing stale air out and generating clean air in the space. An exhaust fan or oven hoods are good examples of exhaust-only ventilation.
Supply-only mechanical ventilation
This method involves a fan bringing fresh air into the home while the stale air escapes from cracks and other spots. The fresh air is delivered from one location to the next through ducts or a forced air heating system. This air supply pressurizes the home, although in this case, extreme pressure could lead to moisture.
Balanced ventilation
Balanced ventilation systems are one of the best because separate fans keep for inlet and outlet of air flow. Meaning that there is no pressure and no chance of either ventilation or moisture issues.
Basic Steps to a Cleaner and Fresher Air in Your Mobile Home
- Clean your home with non-toxic or less-toxic cleaners in your home to avoid pollution in the air.
- Avoid dry cleaning your clothes or hang them to air dry outside before bringing them in.
- Dispose of unused solvents, paints or pesticides in your home and tighten the lids on the ones still in use.
- Use natural ventilation as much as you can.
- Use an exhaust fan in your kitchen to remove gases and in your bathroom to eliminate water vapor.
- Employ moisture management measures like fixing leaks and wiping household spills quickly.
- Replace your furnace air filter and air conditioner at the beginning of the cooling or heating season.
- Consider using room-size air cleaners in rooms that are not easily ventilated.
- If you want to remodel, do it during temperate months of the year so you can use natural ventilation.
- Reduce carpeting in your home and limit it to dry areas where it will stay dirt at all time.
- Consider installing a whole-house fan system.
Take a look at your mobile home ventilation
Mobile home ventilation is crucial because most homes are small and don’t have a lot of extra space. Meaning, it is easier for indoor air to stay trapped inside which will eventually cause a lot of problems. Use the right ventilation method in your mobile home to avoid these issues and implement these tips to have a more comfortable living environment.
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