Your Top Ventilation Systems Buying Guide NZ

 

 

Damp homes are unfortunately commonplace in Aotearoa. In fact, the 2023 Census indicated that 18% of occupied private dwellings in New Zealand were damp at least some of the time. While much of this is attributable to the old construction of these homes, a major culprit in the condensation dripping down your windows is, undeniably, condensation.

You might know them as “crying windows”, and this can be a source of moisture you just can’t get rid of. It’s a sign that your home isn’t circulating enough air to keep things dry. Since our subtropical humidity levels and older housing stock invite more indoor moisture, it’s important to have top-notch ventilation in your home to battle the effects. Opening a window for a few minutes just won’t cut it anymore!

We see the impact of poor air quality every single day. We know that choosing between the various home air ventilation systems on the market can feel a bit overwhelming; there are so many heating and ventilation systems to choose from, after all.

But you need a dry, healthy home that’s easy to heat. So, the effort is worth your while. This guide will help you brush aside the jargon and understand which of the many systems out there will actually fit your property (and budget).

Why isn’t opening your windows good enough to circulate air?

The most traditional way to get air into your home is to crack the windows for a few minutes, letting the breeze in and bringing in the warm scent of the outdoors. In a perfect world, this would be enough. Unfortunately, New Zealand’s outdoor air is either too cold or too damp to be much help in drying out your home.

Modern homes make this even tougher, as they’re built incredibly airtight. This helps to save energy, which is excellent for your power bill, but terrible for air movement. Older homes have plenty of “accidental” ventilation through gaps in the floorboards or windows, but are incredibly difficult to keep warm.

Luckily, you can benefit from installing home air ventilation systems no matter what kind of house you’re in. These systems automatically manage the exchange of air, so you don’t have to think about it. So, let’s talk system types.

The Types of Home Air Ventilation Systems

In your journey, you’ll likely come across three core types of home air ventilation systems:

1.     Positive pressure systems.
2.     Balanced pressure or ‘heat recovery’ systems.
3.     Heating and ventilation systems.

1. Positive pressure systems.

You’ll find positive pressure home air ventilation systems all over Aotearoa, as they’re one of the most common types found in New Zealand homes. Essentially, they draw air from your roof cavity (the large, insulated gap between your roof and ceiling) and push it through vents into your living areas. This pushes fresh air into your home, forcing out old, damp air through the natural gaps and cracks. Hence, ‘positive pressure’.

These systems are great for older, single-level homes and are relatively quick jobs for your local HVAC electrician to install. While they can push slightly warm air into your home (as heat rises), they are no replacement for a heater. Their main job is to manage moisture in your home and keep the air moving.

2. Balanced pressure or ‘heat recovery’ systems.

Another option is a balanced system. This type uses two fans: one pulls fresh air from outside, the other extracts stale air from inside. Inside the unit, a heat exchanger transfers the natural indoor ambient temperature from the stale air to the outside air.

In short, it keeps your home at the temperature you want while constantly bringing new air from outside in. This way, you get 100% fresh air that’s been “pre-warmed” by the air being circulated out.

Because they’re a little bit more complex, these home air ventilation systems can also be a bit more expensive to install. That said, most qualified HVAC electricians in your area will be able to install this for you, and you’ll quickly start to enjoy the best possible air quality in your home.

Again, this is not a true heating system; it only reflects the temperature your home is already at. If you want a heating system, then you might want to look into…

3. Heating and ventilation systems.

A common question we get is whether a ventilation system can replace a heat pump. The short answer is no. Ventilation and heating serve different purposes, though they work best when used together. Heating and ventilation systems are a team. The ventilation system ensures the air is dry, and dry air is much easier and cheaper to heat than damp air.

If your air is full of moisture, your heat pump has to work twice as hard because it has to heat all those water molecules suspended in the air. By using a ventilation system to keep the humidity low, your heat pump can reach the desired temperature much faster and stay there with less effort.

You can also invest in heat exchange systems that transfer the air your heat pump is conditioning between rooms, so the hard work reflected on your monthly power bill actually stretches to your entire home.

So, what should you look for while buying?

As you investigate home air ventilation systems, keep an eye out for a few key features that really matter:

1.     High-grade filters like F7 or HEPA filters. These will catch tiny particles like pollen, dust mites, and spores.
2.     Sensors or controls that let you “set and forget” the system.
3.     Low-noise systems that can happily run 24 hours a day, without giving you tinnitus.
4.     Seasonal controls like summer bypasses or night cooling, both of which let you decide which direction you want air coming from as you control the temperature in your home.

If you’re unsure which model you want, the first and best thing to do is speak with your local electrician. They have access to a wide range of solutions available on the commercial or wholesale market, and they know which of them would work best in your home.

Make sure to share any specific wants or needs with them, such as a ‘quiet’ system, filtration needs for any family members with hay fever, or smart home integrations you need. They’ll take it from there.

Find a local HVAC specialist to install your new ventilation system.

We’re PERL Electrical, a locally-owned and operated network of national electricians ready to connect you with your next specialist. Use our easy-to-operate Electrician Finder to find the closest, most highly-rated, qualified electricians in your area.