Green Home Feature Externally Vented Kitchen and Bath Fans
One of the most effective installations we offer as a standard in our green home construction is the externally vented kitchen and bathroom fan. Have you ever been in a home that has warped doors or woodworking, peeling paint, mold or mildew, or failing drywall or framing? Often, the cause of these detrimental issues is excess moisture or humidity, and even a functioning window isn’t enough to combat these conditions. A properly sized exhaust ventilation system will not only help keep your home structurally sound, but operate more efficiently. The most common types of fans are single-port and multi-port, as well as ducted hoods in the kitchen.
Single Port Fans
A single-port fan is generally installed in the bathroom to remove humidity. Comparatively speaking, they are inexpensive, but it should be noted that the quieter the fan, the more costly it is.
Multi-Port Fans
A multi-port exhaust fan is best installed in the attic with a Y drawn in the ductwork such that it draws from two different locations (i.e. shower and sink). Additionally, it can be mounted with a multi-port fan box that is able to draw from up to six different grilles. These fans are very nearly silent, as they are mounted in remote locations, and if they are used to ventilate the entire home, they should be timer-controlled or run continuously.
Ducted Hoods
Ducted hoods, installed in the kitchen, are preferable to recirculating hoods, as they are vented to the outside and expel moisture. There are three different types:
1) Downdrafts pull moisture and grease into a collector from the cooking surface. They are less conspicuous, but less efficient.
2) Self-contained hoods have removable grease filters and are housed over the cooking range.
3) Chimneys function like a self-contained hood, but include a more aesthetically pleasing chimney-like extension that conceals the exhaust duct and are less noisy.
As always, if you have any questions on this or any other standard green feature we offer, call us at your convenience.