A crawl space vent fan can come with several advantages. One of these advantages is preventing mold, which can cause several major health issues.
However, proper ventilation for your crawl space comes with some cons along with the pros. You’ll want to make sure you make an informed decision rather than making a poor choice that does little to address any underlying problems.
What Does a Crawl Space Fan Do?
Crawl space fans are not what many assume they are. Rather than being a type of fan that circulates air already in your home, a fan used in a crawl space pulls in the air from the outside.
These fans help reduce the amount of moisture in your crawl space by keeping the air in circulation and preventing excess accumulation. However, ventilation is necessary for these fans to work properly.
Many who opt out of using ventilation fans for crawl spaces do so because ventilation still allows moisture into the crawl space. These homeowners will often opt to go with sealed crawl spaces to keep the moisture out.
What Advantages Does a Crawl Space Vent Fan Offer?
A crawl space vent fan can move more air through this area, making the outside air an effective drying tool. Using a smart fan system allows the ventilation and fans to work in tandem at times when the extra air is the most beneficial.
Crawl spaces that have contagions like radon also benefit from the use of fans. Fans allow for greater air exchange, which gets these elements out of the crawl space faster.
In situations where the outside air is drier than the air inside, fans are especially helpful. Your home will become a lot more comfortable when the fans’ cycles kick in.
Despite many preferring to seal their crawl spaces, installing fans costs a lot less. There are fewer concerns about possible obstacles to think about when installing fans.
Fans have lower operating costs than many realize. In many cases, the fans use less overall energy than a light bulb, allowing you to save a lot of money.
However, despite the advantages that fans offer, there are also some disadvantages to keep in mind. Knowing these disadvantages as well as the advantages make a difference.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Crawl Space Fan?
One of the cons of a crawl space fan is the stack effect. Although the hot air in the crawl space moves, the air rises upwards, which puts moisture in contact with your foundation.
Open vents required for fans can also lead to problems with pest infestations. Damaging rodents and wood-boring insects, as well as snakes, can easily get in through the insulation.
Fans are unable to block water from entering your home in the first place. Water damage can be one of the costliest effects of moisture in your home.
The single worst disadvantage of using a fan is that it might reduce your home’s heating and cooling efficiency. Outside air can counteract the effects of your HVAC system.
The ATMOX Advantage
Falcone uses the ATMOX CRAWLSPACE System to improve moisture control in crawl spaces. This system uses advanced monitoring to engage when the conditions are right for ventilation.
This system can also use a dehumidifier for drying when appropriate. You’ll have a greater chance of enjoying a crawl space that keeps the rest of your home comfortable.
Falcone Crawl Space handles everything related to crawl spaces, including proper ventilation. Contact us today to see what we can do about crawl space vent fan options for your home.
