Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) and Healthy House Institute (HHI) Articles
Clicking on the links below will take you to the HHI website.
A Key Component to Green Building — Ventilation
All green building programs require mechanical ventilation individually designed for each house.
A Ventilation Guide from HVI
The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) offers guidelines on how to select the right ventilation system for your home, how much air it should move and why, types of ventilation systems, and where to get more information on ventilation standards.
Attic Ventilation
Reducing heat buildup which can reach 150°F on hot summer days, and moisture in the winter, are the two main goals of attic ventilation.
Bathroom Ventilation Guidelines
Ventilate your bathroom to prevent moisture buildup and related problems.
Building — or Retrofitting — a Greener Future
Tips for building or retrofitting your home for energy efficiency, cost-savings, and indoor air quality
Common Myths, and Facts, about Residential Ventilation
It's easy for homeowners to become confused with all of the information, and misinformation, out there about residential mechanical ventilation. Here are five common myths, and facts that help dispel them.
Continuous Whole-House Ventilation
Fans, heat or energy recovery ventilators work continuously to improve indoor air quality.
Do You Know About Ventilation Standards?
ASHRAE 62.2-2010 Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings is the U.S. national minimum ventilation standard. Here is the skinny on this and other standards.
Does the ENERGY STAR Label Have Value?
In a Consumer Reports October 2008 article, it was reported that ENERGY STAR programs, managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) have "lost some luster".
How Air Moves and Why It's Important to Your Home and Health
The relationship between air pressure, air movement and house tightness is integral to an understanding of how ventilation systems work.
How Do I Find the Most Efficient HRV or ERV?
Several factors should be considered, such as recovery efficiency, airflow capacity, and electricity consumption.
How Filtration and Ventilation Work Together
While air filtration isn't a cure-all, when used with source control and ventilation it can help improve indoor air quality.
How is Your Indoor Air?
Likely there is room for improvement. Here is what to do.
How Much Ventilation Do I Need?
Ventilation products have differing capacities for moving air, so it's important to ensure that the unit you select has ample capacity for the application.
How Pollutants Get Into Houses
Clearly, if the sources of pollutants are minimized, the air will be easier to keep fresh, clean and healthy.
HRV Question: What Is the Difference Between an Aluminum and Polypropylene Core?
An HRV saves energy while ventilating your home. Understanding the differences in materials used to transfer energy between airstreams is important.
Innovations in Ventilation Products
Tight, energy-saving homes have prompted makers of ventilators to develop new, innovative products and systems.
Is Ventilation Worth the Cost?
How much are human health and comfort worth?
Is Your House Airtight?
The term airtight is often used to describe houses with very little natural air leakage. You can have an airtight house with plenty of fresh air flowing through it — if it has a mechanical ventilation system.
Is Your Ventilation Equipment Certified?
Who can you trust to help ensure your home ventilation equipment works as it should?
Pressurize Your Home to Keep Contaminants Out
When a house is pressurized, soil gases and contaminants from within building cavities are kept out of the living space.
Q & A — Should I Use an ERV to Reduce Basement Moisture?
The Home Ventilating Institute, HHI's education partner, answers a home ventilation question.
Q & A — Will a 600 CFM Range Hood Fan Create Air Balance Problems Using a Passive HRV?
The Home Ventilating Institute, HHI's education partner, answers a tough home ventilation question.
Q & A — Replacing a Bathroom Exhaust Fan: Why and How
Why and how to replace your bathroom fan or fix the one you have.
Simple Steps to Healthier Indoor Air
Improving your home's indoor air quality is not always as easy as just opening windows, but there are simple steps you can take to help ensure you and your family are breathing healthy air.
Simple Strategies for Reducing Indoor Air Pollution and Improving Indoor Air Quality
There are four basic strategies for improving air quality.
Ten Tips for Good Indoor Air Quality
To avoid common air quality problems within the home, follow 10 simple steps.
The ABCs of IAQ and Ventilation
To feel comfortable and healthy, people simply need clean, fresh air. Mechanical ventilation systems are specifically designed to exchange the air in a house — as well as circulate it.
The Healthy House Institute (HHI) Continues to Promote HVI's Mission
Why and how HHI supports HVI.
Ventilate to Avoid Moisture Problems
Moisture problems in a house may develop when moisture-laden air passes through the random holes, into or out of the structure.
Ventilating Living Areas
Bathrooms, kitchens and other rooms have individual needs for ventilation.
Ventilation — Why and How to Take Control
Controlled ventilation by means of a mechanical ventilation system is the only way to consistently, reliably, and predictably exchange the air in houses.
Ventilation — Why Natural Isn't Enough
Because Mother Nature is partially responsible for the air-exchange rate in all houses, it is important that we understand how she does her work.
What are HRVs/ERVs?
Heat recovery ventilators (HRV) and energy recovery ventilators (ERV) are air exchange systems that help to enhance indoor air quality and minimize heating costs.
What Are Whole-House Fans, Whole-House Comfort Ventilators, Whole-House Ventilation Systems?
These terms are used somewhat interchangeably, which is confusing. HVI shows how to tell them apart.
Who is HVI?
This nonprofit organization is the leading name in performance certification of residential ventilation products, providing the link between ventilation and healthy, energy-efficient homes.
Whole-House Comfort Ventilators
Simple cooling for the entire home.
Why Ventilation is for People Not Houses
As more people grasp that poor indoor air quality might be the cause of their illnesses, they are cleaning up their indoor environment and improving their ventilation.
Why Ventilation?
Mechanical ventilation is a system that moves stale, tired air out of the home, replacing it with an inflow of fresh air. A properly designed and installed home ventilating system provides a wide array of benefits.
