As energy-conscious builders working
in a cold climate, we've always provided
mechanical ventilation in the houses
we build. But our approach to
ventilation has changed over the years.
At one time, we would put in a 50-cfm
(cubic feet per minute) bath fan with
some flex vent dropped into the eaves
and consider the job done. With
today's emphasis on airtight building
envelopes and the associated concern
with indoor air quality and moisture
problems, however, we're taking a
much closer look at how we ventilate
the houses we build.
My company mainly builds multifamily
housing and a variety of commercial
buildings. Because commercial
building codes require an automated
fresh air supply, we're quite familiar
with mechanical ventilation schemes.
Only recently has