That “new home smell” may seem pleasant, but it can actually make you very ill. Installing a solar attic fan is a crucial step toward creating a safer, healthier home for you and your family.
Home buyers often don’t think of newly-built or renovated homes as being inherently unsafe. After all, they typically don’t have problems with mold, mildew, asbestos and moisture that tends to accumulate over time in older buildings. However, new builds can suffer from significant problems with off-gassing – or the release of toxic emissions from newly-installed building materials and furnishings indoors.
The fresh scent of new homes is actually the smell of harmful substances like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, or other toxins. These substances are found in many construction materials, and slowly build up inside as you move in. Without proper ventilation, the indoor air quality of your home can take a huge nosedive very quickly.
In addition to building materials, Health Canada says common sources of these harmful gasses include paint, wallpaper, fabric, glues and varnishes. Health effects range from eye, nose and throat irritation to serious organ damage and cancer.
These effects are amplified if there is high humidity or high temperatures. Worse, the release of harmful contaminants in the air may continue for years if not addressed.
Bring Off-Gassing Under Control With a Solar Attic Fan
Proper ventilation is one of the best ways to combat the health risks associated with off gassing in new homes.
You might think that just because your home is new, it is already well ventilated because it meets the latest building code requirements.
The reality is that these minimum requirements usually don’t cut it. Most homes are ventilated using passive vents – mere holes in the wall that rely on differences between indoor and outdoor air pressure to move air out.
In order for a space to be properly ventilated, all the air inside must be cycled out at least 6-10 times an hour. Without mechanical parts, there is simply no way for a passive vent to achieve this level of airflow.
Here’s where solar attic fans, like those in our bestselling FLEX line, come in. They switch on automatically when your home isn’t getting enough ventilation. The warm, moisture-laden air it pushes out carries harmful VOCs and other off-gassing pollutants with it.
The result is not just a home that feels fresh, but one with breathable, healthy air.
Is it hard installing one?
When you move into a new brand new home, you’re probably not keen on tearing things apart for more renovations.
One of the biggest advantages of the solar attic fans in our FLEXLine series is ease of installation. Thanks to our patented retrofit design, there’s no need to cut new holes or disturb shingles. They fit seamlessly into most existing roof vents, making upgrades fast, clean, and hassle-free.
There’s no need to start ripping out walls and rewiring your place either. Solar attic fans run completely independent of the local grid. Without any complicated wiring, you don’t even need an electrician. Most general contractors and roofers can handle installation. And for all you DIYers out there, installation instructions can be found on our website.
For added peace of mind, we offer a 20 year limited warranty on our FLEXLine of patented RETROFIT solar attic fans.
So what are you waiting for? Reach out to one our knowledgeable staff and learn more about how a solar attic fan can make your new home a healthy one.
