How to Tell If Your Ventilation Needs Work
Friday, May 24, 2024
Updated
A room can be warm and still feel stuffy. Heating, cooling and fresh-air ventilation do different jobs, so a thermostat adjustment may not address the problem. Start by noting where and when the air feels different.
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Look for a pattern
Record persistent condensation, lingering cooking odours or rooms that feel stale when occupied. Note the weather and whether doors are usually open or closed. These observations help define a problem, but they do not identify its cause on their own.
Check accessible controls
Find the bathroom fan, range exhaust and ventilation controls you normally use. Check the owner instructions and note whether the expected fan response occurs. Keep accessible grilles clear of stored items; do not remove guards, enter ducts or change balancing settings.
Describe the house as it is now
Tell the technician about new windows, air sealing, a finished basement or a change in occupancy. A system selected for an earlier layout may need review. Explain whether the concern is the whole house or one room.
- Identify any HRV or ERV and provide its model.
- Describe the controls and usual operating schedule.
- Mention recent renovations and recurring moisture.
Ask what the assessment establishes
A ventilation review may involve the equipment, controls, air paths and measured performance. Ask which checks are proposed and which conditions remain unexplained. Health Canada recommends addressing indoor pollutant sources alongside ventilation; buying a filter alone is not a complete response to every air-quality concern.
Reference: Health Canada: improving indoor air quality.
Your next step
Book routine service or call 506.696.7000. For planned installation work, request an estimate.
Related services
Ventilation · HVAC System Inspections