Many people build their own houses and summer cottages on their own. In such cases, almost every developer faces the same question: how to properly arrange the ventilation of a country house with their own hands, so that the system works properly and does not create problems?
Types of ventilation
Any type of ventilation involves a continuous exchange of indoor and outdoor air. The easiest way to organize ventilation is to ventilate the room through open doors and windows. However, in winter, this method of ventilation is unacceptable, in addition, in rooms without windows, for example, in pantries and bathrooms, this is completely impossible. And if a country house is not visited often, then after a long absence, the owners who came to rest may encounter a very unpleasant situation - fungus and mold on the walls and furniture and a musty smell in the rooms.
Such problems can be solved quite simply: it is enough to equip the housing with natural, forced or mixed ventilation.
- Natural - carried out in the presence of a difference in temperature and pressure. This type of ventilation does not require the installation of special equipment or complex construction work. The air inflow into the rooms and its outward flow are facilitated by the slots of the window and door openings, as well as ventilation ducts located in the walls and brought to the roof level. The arrangement of the exhaust channels is performed in the form of voids left in the brickwork of brick walls. The lower the temperature outside, the better the house is ventilated inside. In hot weather, natural ventilation will not be as intense as in cold weather.
- Forced ventilation is a device that contributes to the normal circulation of air - kitchen hoods, fans, which are most often installed in the bathroom and toilet, as well as supply valves.
However, if a country house is large, and modern sealed materials are built that do not allow drafts, then the best solution would be to combine natural and forced ventilation.
What is the house built of?
Keep in mind that the type of ventilation will always depend on the material from which the housing is built.
- if the house is built of logs, adobe or foam blocks, then a special arrangement of ventilation in it is not necessary, since the walls of such a house pass air well. In addition, in log housing, circulation is carried out through openings in windows, joints between logs and a fireplace or chimney;
- if the material from which the suburban housing is built is stone or brick, then there is no natural ventilation in it because of the tightness. In addition, the presence of plastic windows exacerbates the situation, preventing even the slightest penetration of air into the house and exit from it.
Organization of air inflow and outflow
In the arrangement of ventilation of a country house, the most important thing is to organize the influx and outflow of air.
- Air can flow through the slots of doors and windows or through a specially installed supply valve above the door or battery.
- The exhaust shafts should be ventilation shafts. So, in the presence of a fireplace, air will leave the room through a chimney, which has a height difference. When the fireplace works, it removes smoke and fumes from the house, and when it does not work (if it is not blocked), air, together with carbon dioxide and moisture, leaves the room through the chimney of the fireplace.
If there is a toilet in the house, air and moisture from it also exit through the ventilation shaft. However, in this case an unpleasant odor will appear in the rooms.To avoid this, ventilation shafts should be equipped in the kitchen, toilet and other rooms where there may be dirty air. The incoming air should be sufficient for all ventilation ducts. Accordingly, a shaft should be made in which there is a height difference for drawing air from the first floor. If there is a second floor, then an exit from the second floor can be connected to the same ventilation shaft. In this case, it is desirable to make a small segment parallel to the main channel and bring it slightly above the air inlet. This will allow the sound not to flow from the first to the second floor and not to give out air coming from the first floor to the second.
Pipe dimensions can be calculated by contacting a special company. The size of the pipe will depend on the size of the house and its properties.
If there is a fireplace and ventilation holes in the toilet and bathroom, the incoming air should be sufficient for the functioning of these devices. In the kitchen, it is desirable to equip the ventilation duct for natural circulation and install an additional hood above the stove. It is removed from the house through a non-return valve. This will allow the steam and soot generated during cooking to go outside immediately. However, it should be borne in mind that in this case there should be another small pipe in the house, which will prevent the cooling of this ventilation section and the freezing of wet steam in it.
Thus, properly equipped ventilation will remove dirty air from the house around the clock, preventing the formation of mold, fungi in it and creating comfortable conditions for residents.
Natural Circulation Requirements
- With properly arranged natural circulation in winter, air from the rooms should not get cold.
- A continuous exchange of outdoor and indoor air is required.
- The influx of fresh air masses should be carried out in each room of the house.
- Removal of dirty air from rooms should occur quickly.
- Despite the fact that natural air exchange requires constant air circulation, there should not be drafts in the rooms.
The ventilation rate is calculated by the method of air exchange rate, which determines how many times the air in the room changed over the course of an hour. Existing standards require an air exchange ratio of 0.5 - 1. If the ratio is lower than the established norm, then stuffiness will be felt in the room. In the kitchen, bathroom and toilet, this value should not be less than 3.
In order for air to circulate freely between rooms, the distance between the bottom of the door and the floor should be 1-2 cm. However, many people believe that such doors look ugly and, equipping the house, do not leave such a gap. In this case, it is recommended to purchase special ventilation grilles designed for doors. For their installation, you just need to cut through the holes of the right size and fix the grilles in the lower part of the door.
It must be remembered that 90% of a person’s health depends on the quality of the air he breathes.
In a sealed house without properly equipped natural and, if necessary, forced ventilation, residents will feel tired and depressed. This is especially true for a country house in which people come to relax, breathe fresh clean air and gain energy and strength.
