Why ventilate?

The importance of a healthy indoor climate.

Various European studies have clearly shown that the air inside homes and buildings is sometimes as much as twice as unhealthy as outside air. This is why, in view of public health, the government places great value on good domestic ventilation. It has already been proven that the general health and the capacity to work can be severely reduced by a lack of ventilation or as a consequence of poor ventilation.

It is important for both new construction and renovation of houses to have the right ventilation system, a system that not only meets current legislation but also the needs of the occupants. Elek Trends can offer various solutions for optimum ventilation of your building or home.

Good insulation requires good ventilation

Homes used to be much less closed and insulated than they are today. This meant that warmth was lost, but it did offer a form of natural ventilation, through gaps and cracks, and other draft crevices. However, homes were being more and more insulated to protect against heat loss and unnecessary energy consumption. This has resulted in there being no natural ventilation nowadays, which is not desirable anyway, due to the considerable heat loss.

But it is undisputed that ventilation is absolutely necessary, because this air circulation ensures a healthy indoor climate by replacing ‘polluted’ air with new, fresh air. Good ventilation automatically creates an improvement of the living standard.

How does the air in a home become polluted?

• Breathing: We use oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.
• Odours: Body odour, tobacco smoke, kitchen smells, toilet, household waste
• Moisture: From breathing, sweat, bathing and showering, cleaning, drying, washing and even houseplants.
• Construction and domestic materials: Vinyl, laminate, paintwork, detergents, ...
• Equipment: Fireplace, gas-powered hot water tanks, gas boiler, ..., and devices such as printers
• Dust: Think of garage, storage spaces, ...
• Pets

What are the effects of polluted air?

Health effects (Sick Building Syndrome):

The sick building syndrome is a combination of illnesses related to the person’s place of work or residence. The World Health Organisation (WHO) published a report that recognised this disease as early as 1984.

One of the main causes of this syndrome is the accumulation of bacteria and fungi in badly ventilated rooms. This could lead to the following health effects:

• Irritation to eyes, nose and throat
• Impairment of airways
• Vomiting, nausea
• Skin complaints
• Allergies
• Headache and tiredness
• Dizziness, impairment of mood, memory and learning ability

Effects on living comfort:

• Unpleasant odours
• Condensation on windows and mirrors

Effects on the building:

• Mould on walls and ceilings
• Damage from damp: may affect paintwork, wallpaper and plasterwork
• Permanent damp problem could affect the structure
• Damp problems reduce the insulating capacity