Here is how to circulate air in basements using proven ventilation systems.
Due to their position in the house, basements could get really stuffy. If you use yours as a living space, then stuffiness could make your stay there less pleasant.
Fresh Air Systems For Basement
The key to solving these problems is to employ an effective basement fresh air exchange to improve airflow.
If you have no idea what to do in this regard, then you’ve stumbled upon the right article.
Here, I’ll be telling you all you need to know about how you can employ several DIY basement ventilation methods to keep your space feeling fresh and airy.
Keep reading!
Why You Should Ventilate Your Basement
There are more than enough good reasons for you to maintain good airflow in your basement.
Poor ventilation can cause the air in your basement to be humid, and even though this may not seem like a big deal to you, I advise you to take it seriously.
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Need For Fresh Air Vent In Basement
You may not know this, but humid air has the power to weaken your basement’s foundation. This is in no way good for the well-being of the overall structure of your home.
If you plan to sell your property in such a condition, you can expect it to be underpriced by prospective buyers.
Another problem with having humid air in your basement is that it can encourage the growth of mold. As you may know, mold can be dangerous to human health, as it causes allergies and breathing problems.
Besides its adverse health effects, mold does not look good on your basement walls, floors, and ceilings. The worst part is, it can also grow on your clothes, shoes, bags, and furniture.
To add to that, mold growth will also lead to rot, which will also lead to the devaluation of your property.
Another reason why you need to ventilate your basement is to prevent the circulation of radon gas accumulation.
For those who don’t know, radon gas is the by-product of soil or rocks that have begun to decay beneath your basement. As I’m sure you can imagine, inhaling these gasses could lead to severe breathing problems.
Speaking of gasses, appliances like generators and boilers release carbon monoxide into the basement, and this particular gas isn’t one that a human should be inhaling. Hence, they need to have an escape route out of the basement.
Now that you understand the importance of having a well-ventilated basement, let me show you how to go about it.
How To Ventilate A Basement
There are several approaches to basement ventilation. You can employ one or more of the methods discussed below.
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The Natural Method
The natural method is the oldest and most commonly used approach when it comes to ventilating a basement.
This doesn’t require the need for any special gadget or piece of equipment. All you need to do is use what nature has made available to you.
Here’s what you need to do.
Keep your windows open:
Most basements have windows that sit just beside the outer foundation. If your basement has a window, then you’re in luck. Better still if it has two or more windows.
If your basement was built without windows, then you just have to have them installed. I know, it could be expensive and the work involved could be an inconvenience, but it will be worth every dollar and effort in the end.
Using your windows for ventilation is as simple as flinging them open so that fresh outdoor air can come inside.
The only downside to using windows for ventilation is that you have to monitor things manually. Windows serve as an entry point for unwanted pests like raccoons and roaches, so you need to take extra measures to keep them from entering your basement.
This isn’t a big deal, though, as installing tightly woven mesh screens by the windows to keep the pests out.
You’ll also have to keep an eye out for bad weather, as heavy rains can flood your basement if the windows are left open.
Keep the doors open:
While basements don’t have doors that lead directly outside, they have doors that connect to the rest of the house.
You can leave your basement doors open so that some of the air in your home can flow through. While this is not quite the same as the fresh air from outside, it can still help to keep the basement ventilated.
Unlike basement windows, you don’t have to worry about intruding pests or heavy rains when you leave your basement doors open.
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Mechanical Ventilation For Basement
Another approach to ventilating your basement is by using the mechanical method. Nature is great, but a little assist from electronic devices wouldn’t hurt.
Here’s what you can do.
Buy a box fan:
Box fans are an excellent solution to basement ventilation problems. The best part is, they are affordable too.
They are also small and portable, which means you can easily place them anywhere you wish. I have to mention though since box fans are small, you may need to buy more than one if your basement is very spacious.
Use a stand-alone fan:
Using more than one box fan for a big basement is a good idea, but buying a larger, more powerful stand-alone fan is a much better idea.
Fans like these are built to ventilate larger spaces, and while they cost more than the box fans, their ventilating power makes the extra Dollars worth it.
Buy an exhaust fan:
Exhaust fans work well to ventilate enclosed spaces like your basement. These aren’t your regular fans, as they are designed to suck out all the stale air in a room and draw in fresh new air.
To get the best out of your exhaust fan, I advise that you use it alongside a natural ventilation method. This means keeping your basement windows and doors open so that the new air has easy access to come in.
One more thing, you’ll have to create a hole in your basement wall to install the exhaust fan. This will cost you some money, but it’s a sacrifice you have to make.
Use an air conditioner:
A window AC unit can do a world of good if you’re looking to ventilate your basement. They aren’t expensive and they are easy to install, so it’s an option you have to consider.
If you happen to have a large basement, then you should consider installing an extra HVAC system as a backup. This extra approach will cost you a fair price, but at least it’ll get the job done more effectively.
The good thing about an HVAC system is that it can monitor the basement’s room temperature and humidity all by itself, so you don’t need to physically monitor it yourself.
It is a perfect low-maintenance and stress-free approach for basement ventilation.
If you wish, you can get a ductless mini-split for better airflow. These of course are more expensive than the regular window units, but they are much cheaper than the HVAC system.
The best part is, they don’t require any extra ductwork before they are installed. They can also support spacious basements.
Use a dehumidifier:
If you live in a humid area, then you can expect your basement to be very stuffy. For such environments, fans alone aren’t good enough to properly ventilate the space.
This is where dehumidifiers come in.
Dehumidifiers dry indoor air by removing all airborne moisture. And this leaves it more appealing and fresh.
After running a cycle, you can then open up your basement windows and doors so that new air can come in. Keep in mind not to ventilate when the outdoor air is damp, as that would only bring more humidity into your basement.
Dehumidifiers come in different sizes, so knowing the right size for your basement is key. An industrial-sized unit would do for most basements.
Use an air purifier:
My list of mechanical basement ventilation approaches will not be complete without air purifiers.
These devices work by sucking in the indoor air and running it through several filters. These filters are responsible for catching air particles like mold spores, dust, and other pathogens.
After all the harmful particles have been “imprisoned”, the purifier now releases the fresh clean air back into the room. The cycle continues until the air in the room is completely clean.
One of the biggest advantages of using an air purifier is that it captures mold spores. The spores are microscopic, and are always in search of a suitable environment to land and grow into mold colonies.
Air purifiers ensure that never happens.
Conclusion On Basement Air Exchange System
Ventilating your basement has many advantages.
It keeps the air fresh, makes living there more conducive, eliminates bad odors, and devices like air purifiers remove harmful mold spores from the air.
Thankfully, you can take many approaches to ventilate your basement, as we have discussed so far in this article.
I trust the information provided here has been helpful.
Thanks for reading!
