Understanding the “V” in HVAC

kitchen ventilation

Thornton’s Heating & Air has been serving the Piedmont Triad for over 45 years, helping to keep your HVAC systems running smoothly. But what do those letters mean? You know that the “H” is for the heat making you toasty warm in winter months. The “AC” is for your air conditioning keeping you cool in the summer. But you may not know that the “V” is for ventilation.

Proper ventilation is an important and essential part of any home or business. You probably won’t think about that – until you realize there’s a problem.

A Steamy Problem. You’re probably accustomed to turning on the exhaust fan after a steamy shower, but what happens if that fan stops working? Without proper ventilation, all of that steam and moisture from the bathroom can lead to major problems like mold and mildew. This air must be redirected outdoors, not to just the attic or extra space between the walls of your home. While parts of the bathroom exhaust require a licensed electrician, any ventilation or air problems, including redirecting the air properly, involve a licensed HVAC technician.

A Smelly Situation. Before you put on that next pot of bubbling cabbage soup, you’ll want to make sure that your kitchen hood also known as your “fan” is running effectively. A ducted kitchen fan removes any smells, humidity, and steam from the air. It can also help to remove the heat and grease from your cooking space and kitchen area. These types of fans work with your existing HVAC system to safely redirect humid air and unwanted smells to the outside of your home. Trust us, your family and your dinner will thank you!

A Leaky Dryer. It’s all warm and fuzzy, until it’s not. Your clothes dryer that is. Your dryer vent is an essential part of your home that goes unnoticed unless it’s not functioning properly. If you go to check your dryer and find that your laundry is still soaking wet, you may have a venting problem. While oftentimes lint build up can cause a block in your vent, you could also have a hole in your duct work. If no air is coming through then this is likely the case. A number of culprits can be to blame including animals, wear and tear, a broken seal, and much more.

An Itchy Nose. If it’s springtime and you’re sneezing inside your home, you likely have poor air quality. Improper ventilation can lead to poor indoor air quality which can be harmful. Air pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, household cleaners, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites are just a few reasons you could be feeling ill while you’re kicking back in your own living room. Our technicians can examine your ventilation system to make sure there are no leaks and that it is up to date. We even offer air purification alternatives that work with your existing unit.

The next time you step out of the shower, cook dinner, or switch out the laundry, remember much of your daily household routine requires proper ventilation. Take a deep breath, then call or message us today for any concerns that you have with your heating, air conditioning – or ventilation.

At Thornton’s we are much more than heating and air. We’re HVAC!

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