Just like human being, houses will present symptoms that help us diagnose when an appropriate mechanical ventilation system is needed. The main problems to diagnose are excess infiltration (through walls or ducts), inadequate air exchange (too little ventilation), and excess moisture. Often, excess moisture speaks for itself. If you see condensation, mold, or excessive ice build-up, you know you have a problem. (See the section “Control moisture.”)

Whether you are looking to increase your property's appraisal value with a view to a sale, or you just want to improve your living space, getting started on home improvements can be a daunting prospect.

Because healthy indoor air quality matters for all of us, but no regulations mandate it in the retrofit market. And yet where there are regulations, as in the new construction market, consumers still experience issues with poor indoor air quality, even when their home is equipped with an air exchanger such as an HRV!

If there’s a musty mold smell sometimes in your home, it’s important to investigate the cause and do something about it. It most often comes from basements, attics, crawlspaces, or other areas that lack proper ventilation and humidity control.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) a professional organization of medical specialists with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases, recognizes that millions of people suffer year-round from allergy symptoms caused by indoor allergens, noting that culprits include dust mite droppings, animal dander, cockroach droppings and molds. When we have an allergic reaction to these, symptoms include sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose, or itchiness in your nose, the roof of your mouth, throat, eyes or ears.