6.4.1 Describe different types of ventilation equipment and their advantages and limitations

  • Balanced;
    • advantages - whole house fresh air in and stale air out with mechanically controlled ventilation
    • disadvantages -
      • needs to be climate specific for heat recovery or energy recovery
      • difficult to get optimal results in high temperature and moisture changing climates
      • may require make up air when exhaust only systems are also installed for combustion appliances
  • Exhaust-only;
    • advantages - removes point source moisture and particulate
    • disadvantages -
      • does not remove moisture or replace fresh air for whole home
      • may require make up are for combustion appliances
  • Supply-only
    • Advantages - brings fresh air to the home
    • Disadvantages
      • no exhaust of stale air may lead to increased moisture in the home
      • particularly problematic with tight building envelopes