Not sure cracking windows is always the answer, especially in cities with bad air or pollen.
I’ve seen folks in downtown condos who won’t open their windows at all because of street dust and noise—then they wonder why their place smells musty. HRVs are great, but if the filters aren’t changed, they’re just blowing dirty air around too. I get what you mean about smarter envelopes, but even the best design needs a bit of TLC to work right.
HRVs are great, but if the filters aren’t changed, they’re just blowing dirty air around too.
That’s true, but I’d argue the bigger risk is moisture build-up when people keep everything sealed up tight. I’ve seen mold behind drywall after just one winter because folks relied on “smart” systems but never checked humidity or filter status. Even with city air, some controlled ventilation is better than letting condensation do its thing unseen.
I’ve seen mold behind drywall after just one winter because folks relied on “smart” systems but never checked humidity or filter status.
Had a job last year where the attic insulation was perfect, but no one checked the bath fan venting. Moisture just kept cycling back in—by spring, plywood sheathing was black with mold. Even the best systems need eyes on them, not just sensors.
Man, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen “state-of-the-art” builds with fancy controls, but then the bath fan dumps straight into the attic. It’s like putting a screen door on a submarine... looks high-tech but you’re still sunk. Sensors are great, but nothing beats poking your head up there every now and then—especially after a wet winter.
That’s the truth. I’ve crawled through more attics than I care to admit, and you’d be surprised how often I see those “high-efficiency” fans just blowing straight into the insulation. Last winter, after a big storm, we found a spot where the bath fan had soaked the rafters so bad there was mold starting. All that fancy tech doesn’t mean much if nobody checks the basics. Sometimes it feels like folks forget water vapor’s just as sneaky as rain when it comes to wrecking a roof.
