Does My Home Need Make Up Air?
At Ferguson Builders, we design our projects to address not only layout and aesthetic concerns, but also technical issues that could otherwise go unnoticed. Remodels offer a great opportunity to fix issues that have hidden under the surface while the walls are already open. Remodeling your home can also create new issues that should be considered upfront during the planning process. One especially important example of this is the air quality of your home. In this blog, we will walk you through scenarios where you may need to consider adding a Make Up Air system to your remodel plan.
What is Make-Up Air?
Make-Up Air (MUA) is a modification to your HVAC system that introduces additional air from outside the home, conditions and filters it, then introduces it into the home. This system ensures there is always clean oxygen available even in tightly sealed homes or situations where exhaust fans create a negative air pressure situation. It’s a detail that’s often missed, but making sure your home has adequate fresh air is vital to your health and comfort! Let’s discuss a few scenarios to help you determine if your home needs a Make Up Air system.
General Kitchen Ventilation
If you cook frequently and notice lingering odors and humidity in your kitchen, you should consider installing a Make Up Air system with your remodel. A MUA system will bring fresh air into your kitchen as the range hood removes air from your cooktop. This will prevent depressurization, and minimize risk of backdrafting any gas appliances.
Commercial Appliances
In this Kitchen Remodel, we worked with homeowners who host frequently on a large-scale. They wanted several commercial kitchen appliances including a 10-burner range with a commercial-grade vent hood to ensure proper air turnover when the range is in use. This awesome vent hood caused one problem – we calculated that whenever it was turned on, it would deplete the home of air in just 3-5 minutes. This could cause ear pressure, headaches or other health concerns. This vent hood was so powerful, it would also pull unconditioned air through cracks around windows and doors. Our team addressed this by installing a MUA system that turned on and off with the vent hood.
Fireplace Ventilation
You’re trying to enjoy a cozy evening by the fire but the air feels incredibly dry and stuffy. What’s going on? The fireplace is likely burning up oxygen in the home and there is no Make Up Air to replace it. This can lead to dangerous levels of carbon dioxide if the fire burns long enough. Most homes with a fireplace would benefit from a makeup air system to bring in fresh, filtered air, into your living area. This is especially important in the winter when the windows are kept shut, allowing pollutants to accumulate.
Energy Efficient Homes
Energy efficient homes are becoming increasingly popular due to the advancement of construction science and insulation techniques like spray foam. Make Up Air becomes very important in these homes because the home is so tightly sealed. There is insufficient air transfer through walls, windows and doors, causing stale air and carbon monoxide buildup even with the standard use of an average size family.
Tailored Solutions for Your Home
If you are planning a Remodel, this is the perfect time to integrate a Make Up Air system into your home. From simple unfiltered units, to whole-home systems integrated with your HVAC system and quality control sensors, there is a solution for every home and budget! Talk to a Project Planner to discuss your project and whether or not your home might need a Make Up Air system.