VENTILATION
Improve your air quality and energy efficiency through effective moisture control
Crawl space ventilation allows for targeted air exchanges to improve conditions within the crawl space. The ATMOX controller directs proper operation of ventilation fans.
The ATMOX controller has numerous set up choices and options depending on desired goal for crawl space ventilation use. Therefore, fan selection and operation will vary. Ventilation fans are generally used for one of the following:
- Exchange air inside the space with outside air when drier and beneficial to crawl space in terms of moisture and temperature.
- Exhaust air from crawl space in an otherwise closed space to create a slight negative pressure on crawl space to dispel odors and toxins. This may also be a building code requirement in certain geographic areas.
- Exchange air inside the crawl space with conditioned air from inside the home.
ATMOX Controller Advantage
Improve Air Quality in Crawl Space
Improving air quality starts with the reduction in moisture in the air. This occurs through various forms of drying components directed by the ATMOX controller.
True quality improvement of air quality comes through the exchange of air. Filtration of air can help to catch particles in the air, but it has its limitations. Most air quality experts will agree that the air must be exchanged with fresher air to see significant results to reduce odors, toxins and material off-gasses in a space.
ATMOX Controller has several options to create consistent air exchange through fans. Separate from any ventilation for moisture control, fans can operate on a timed ventilation program or a continuous ventilation setting.
Create Moisture Reduction Through PROPER Crawl Space Ventilation
ATMOX controller uses sophisticated logic in its software to improve conditions through ventilation. This leads to proper and beneficial ventilation. Fans with outside air will not make things better in all cases – sometimes it can actually make things worse. The ATMOX controller is the key component for using ventilation effectively.
When using its moisture control logic, ATMOX controller compares moisture levels using a dew point comparison of both inside the crawl space and the air that would be used to exchange it. This ensures that the air is actually drier before starting ventilation. (ATMOX is the only crawl space controller with this feature.)
Moisture reduction can be very effective as a drying tool. This is especially true during cooler, dry seasons of the year and in select climates. See more below to learn about using ventilation with outside air.
Optimize Energy Efficiency of Installed Components
The ATMOX controller directs the operation of all of the installed components to work effectively to reduce moisture and improve conditions of the crawl space. It also tries to operate with energy efficiency as a top priority. ATMOX-manufactured components such as fans are designed to use very little electricity when running. Additionally, the controller software will monitor temperatures to evaluate the effects of extreme temperatures to avoid inefficient operation.
When a dehumidifier is paired with ventilation fans for a moisture control setup, the ATMOX controller can greatly decrease overall energy consumption. When drier air is available, the ventilation fans provide a drying action. This will lessen the use of the dehumidifier that uses significantly more electricity than fans. Furthermore, using the dehumidifier less extends its overall product life.
ATMOX Products for Crawl Space Ventilation
Ventilation fans bring air into the space and will be connected to the ATMOX controller through the use of the Exhaust/Intake Fans output. ATMOX fans will receive both signal and power from the controller.
For more information – learn more about these Ventilation Fans of both Exhaust and Intake models.
Understanding Ventilation with Outside Air
There is a lot of conflicting information on the use of outside air.
Over and over again, you can find websites stating that outside air is “bad” and that it won’t lower moisture in the crawl space. The problem is that this is true at times, but it is certainly not true most of the time. Just think about mother nature and the cycle of the world outside. It rains – trees and wood get wet – weather changes – air dries out the trees and wood – repeat. The outside air often dries out nature. It has the same capability inside a crawl space at times.
Geographic climates will vary. Over the course of a full year, the outside air is frequently drier than the air inside the crawl space. This is especially true during fall, winter and spring seasons. During the summer, the outside air is often hot and humid. Obviously, that air can certainly be “bad” for a crawl space. The key to using outside air for drying is to know when it is beneficial and only use ventilation during those times. That is exactly what ATMOX does.
Misconceptions of crawl space ventilation.
As mentioned above, regardless of the type of crawl space, ventilation with fresh outside air improves air quality. The ATMOX controller has settings for all types of crawl space setups to get that needed fresh air. It is also using that fresh dry air to reduce the moisture in the crawl space in certain cases.
Two common misconceptions related to ventilation:
- There is no “good” dry air during the summer.
- Dehumidifiers can dry air more than outside air.
ATMOX focuses on dew point as it is a more accurate measure of actual moisture than humidity. (Humidity is obviously correlated, but the temperature component is critical to understand when there is available dry air.) Let’s look at some numbers to try to highlight the information related to the power of proper crawl space ventilation. First of all, dew points of outside air that are under 55 degrees make for a dry and pleasant day. Secondly, a dehumidifier can dry a space to a dew point of approximately 40 to 44 degrees.
A look at Atlanta, Georgia:
Everyone knows that southern climates have hot and humid summers. But do they still have dry air? It varies some from region to region, but let’s look at Atlanta, Georgia – a typical southern city. In a review of the AVERAGE dew points per month in Atlanta, the averages were lower than the dry 55 degree dew points during six months of the year. However, a crawl space only needs pockets of dry air to allow fans to push and pull air at the right times.
In looking at Atlanta again, in every month, the MINIUMUM dew point was 50 degrees or lower. This means that even in the peak summer months of June, July and August, there were times when the outside air was very dry. Then, if we compare the dew points of the outside air to a dehumidifier, the outside air was drier than the 44 degree dew point from a dehumidifier in nine months of the year. The outside air will dry more effectively than a dehumidifier during select times in nine months of the year in Atlanta. Learn more about dehumidifier usage in a crawl space. Dehumidifiers are powerful drying tools and often necessary as part of the overall solution. However, operating dehumidifiers is not as energy efficient as compared to the low electricity usage of ATMOX fans. Outside air is always more efficient in power usage. Furthermore, it can be an effective drying tool during the majority of the seasons when used properly.
Limitations of crawl space ventilation.
The limitations of crawl space ventilation come into play when mother nature doesn’t cooperate for short periods of time. During those peak heat and humidity days, the ATMOX controller manages available drying options such as a dehumidifier. Your installer will work with you to determine the needs specific to your home. There is no one-size-fits-all crawl space solution, but with an ATMOXsphere, there is an ATMOX-products-improve-all crawl spaces solution.
Learn more about other aspects of the Crawl Space ATMOXsphere: