Ventilation Exhaust Systems


If strong smells, chemical fumes, and heat and humidity are constant concerns in your home or workplace, then you owe it to yourself to look into the many ventilation exhaust systems available on the market. Tremendously useful devices to have in and around the home and workplace, ventilation exhaust systems may be the last thing you need to make your space more pleasant and safer.

The basic function of ventilation systems

At its most basic, ventilation exhaust systems work to remove stale or contaminated air from an enclosed space while causing fresh air to circulate freely. Such devices often utilize a carefully designed system of components that perform these basic tasks automatically. Among some of the places that typically use such systems are:
  • homes
  • offices
  • factories
  • industry plants
  • laboratories
  • clinics
  • garages
  • restaurant kitchens
What do all these places have in common? For one thing, they can all be prone to the buildup of various pollutants and contaminants, many of which can be severely detrimental to human health. The fact that contaminants are present in industrial settings such as factories and laboratories may not be all that surprising, but what many people don’t realize is that the air in the average home can be filled with numerous contaminants as well. Pet hairs, cleaning products and cigarette smoke are only some of the common culprits, and even commonplace substances such as these can present a significant health hazard given constant or prolonged exposure. This is why it is just as important to install ventilation exhaust systems at home as it is in a commercial setting.

Categories of ventilation exhaust systems

Ventilation exhaust systems fall into two basic categories:
  • natural
  • mechanical
Natural ventilation exhaust systems basically rely on atmospheric forces to carry out the function of cleaning out the air in an indoor space, while mechanical ventilation exhaust systems utilize mechanical components for the same purpose.

Natural exhaust systems

The most familiar types of natural ventilation exhaust systems are comprised of one or more outlets that are usually located on the roof of a house or building. These systems also have openings that lead to the lower part of the structure. The design of such systems causes the air to rise to the roof where it is expelled through ducts. At the same time, fresh air is coursed through the system, replenishing the air that was expelled.

Mechanical exhaust systems

Mechanical ventilation exhaust systems work pretty much the same way, with the most important difference being the use of mechanical components for forcing out contaminated air and drawing in fresh air. Many types of mechanical ventilation exhaust systems are equipped with a number of other components as well, such as heating and cooling mechanisms, and an energy source, which is usually electricity. One of the most commonly utilized types of ventilation exhaust systems is the HVAC or heating, ventilating, and air conditioning unit. These are usually found in larger homes and commercial buildings.

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