[Strawbale] ventilation

[Mark Bigland-Pritchard]

all the best with this Adam.  Comments inserted below.
Mark


Adam wilson wrote:

>Hey all,
>So I'm trying to figure out the kitchen/bathroom ventilation for my house, I 
>thought I'd try the list to see if anybody has any ideas.  I'm completely 
>inexperienced with mechanical ventilation, so bare with me if this seems 
>like a no-brainer.
>The bathroom will be directly above the kitchen, both sharing the northside 
>SB wall.  The range is going to be against that wall.  I was thinking it 
>would be great if I could use one opening in the wall (and one exhaust fan) 
>to vent for both rooms.  If there could be seperate dampers with seperate 
>switches, that would be ideal.
>  
>
Would require a degree of complexity in switching (well, individual 
switches and a single OR gate in the electronics), but could be done.  
You'd have to guard against backflow of exhaust air into the other room, 
though.
2 holes in the wall would probably be simpler.  Especially as both rooms 
have external walls.

>I'm not sure yet (obviously) but a floor mounted duct for the bathroom and a 
>hood or duct above the stove is what I was thinking.  These could connect 
>and go out thru the bale wall, from the kitchen.
>  
>
Exhaust is better at height - work with natural convection rather than 
against it.

>I was wondering if anybody has done something like this, if this is a good 
>idea, or if it's even feasible without being an inventor/fabricator of 
>ventilation systems.  Simplicity is what I'm looking for, preferably not too 
>pricey either.  Also, is a hood neccessary and worth the extra money?  I 
>guess it catches grease the best...
>  
>
It depends.  Do you go for high-grease cooking methods?  Do you go for 
high vapour generation cooking methods?  Are you likely to produce 
moisture in the kitchen in places other than the stove?  Do you have 
other signficant sources of moisture in the home?  What is the climate 
like outside? (Where are you?)
In Britain, I would usually go for a cooker hood, with dynamic 
humidistat control (i.e. the fan cuts in when the rate of increase of 
r.h. is above a certain level), and in the bathroom I would use either 
static humidistat control (cuts in when the r.h. reaches say 65%) or 
occupant-controlled switches, depending on the occupant.
Here in Saskatchewan, I would be a lot less rigorous about it.

>There will be no ductwork in the house except for the minimal amount needed 
>for this exhaust.  Maybe something for fresh air would be a good idea, when 
>it's too cold to open the windows.
>
You have a couple of options on this, depending on your climate.  Normal 
British practice now is to fit adjustable slot vents into the windows.  
In a climate with a cold winter you'd probably be better off going for 
heat recovery ventilation (but you need to make sure your home is really 
well sealed w.r.t. air leaks before going that route), or 
solar-preheated ventilation.

>  I'm open for ideas on that too. I 
>appreciate any suggestions, word up.
>
>Adam
>
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