One of the many benefits of laundry rooms is that they enable you to do your daily wash conveniently. But one of laundry rooms’ downsides is that they can get pretty stuffy. So, if you’re thinking about adding a laundry room to your home, or you already have one, you might be concerned about proper ventilation in that room. Adequate ventilation can help keep the room smelling fresh and provide you with a favorable environment, but it can also save you money on your energy bills. However, choosing the right laundry room ventilation system can be tricky.
Laundry room ventilation is needed because washing machines, dryers, and irons give off heat due to their normal functions. Proper ventilation and an exhaust fan keep the laundry room from over-heating, control humidity, avoid mildew, prevent lint fires, reduce odors, and improve air quality. Also, some area building codes require homeowners to adhere to best practices of laundry room ventilation for health and safety reasons.
Let’s look at some common laundry room ventilation concerns and how to overcome them when planning your project. This article will help you create proper ventilation in your laundry room so that everything works smoothly and your laundry room works as efficiently as possible.
Laundry Room Ventilation Concerns
The purpose of ventilation and exhaust fan in a laundry room is to remove moisture and odors released while washing clothes. If these are not removed properly, they can damage your health or clothes. Good ventilation can also enhance your laundry experience by removing bad smells so that you enjoy working in your laundry room.
Excessive humidity
Washing machines release water vapors during wash cycles which results in condensation. Excess humidity and moisture can lead to mold and mildew, which can be unhealthy for you and your home structure. The first step to conquering excess humidity is ventilating your laundry room properly. Without proper ventilation, moisture will stay trapped in an enclosed space that isn’t designed to support it. Adequate ventilation can significantly reduce excess humidity and its effects.
Lint fire hazards
A dryer’s drying process produces lint that can start a fire if the internal temperature of the dryer rises due to improper venting. Experts recommend a dryer hose ventilating outside through the exterior wall. Also, the hose shouldn’t be longer than 25 feet. If your washer and dryer are installed with no existing venting, consider installing one for safety reasons. Also, clean the vent and lint screen periodically to avoid clogging. Ensure that the vent pipe is not damaged, as the lint fibers leaking out of the crack can pollute the air and impose breathing problems.
Factors affecting laundry room ventilation
Choosing the right level of ventilation can be a complex task when you’re building or renovating a home, especially when it comes to laundry rooms. Many contractors and builders prefer to install only exhaust fans in laundry rooms, but this isn’t always necessary or beneficial, depending on various factors that affect the need for ventilation in this particular room.
Size and location of laundry room
The size of a laundry room plays a role in determining how much ventilation is needed. A large, open space with plenty of natural light can be ventilated naturally. In contrast, smaller areas with no windows will require mechanical ventilation and good air circulation to keep them safe from dangerous chemicals and powders. Also, if your laundry room is close to other rooms, you’ll want to make sure you have enough exhaust fans and vents.
Frequency of use
The frequency with which you wash your clothes will impact how often your laundry room needs to be ventilated and which type of ventilation will be more effective. If you only launder clothes once a week, your laundry room will probably require ventilation for 30 minutes or less. But if you do laundry multiple times per week, you may need to ventilate the laundry room equivalent to the laundry time duration.
Weather conditions in your area
The hot and humid climate needs ample ventilation. Many people underestimate how hot it can get in their laundry room during warmer months. Ensure you are adequately ventilating your laundry room during these months by installing several fans. In addition, ensure that your laundry room has sufficient windows to allow for cool air to enter.
Type of washing machine and dryer in use
Different kinds of equipment need different amounts of ventilation. To properly manage your ventilation needs, it’s important to understand what equipment you’re working with. What kind is it? Is it high capacity or low? What are its emissions? Answers to these questions will help you determine how much ventilation you need and if all laundry room exhaust fans are properly vented. It ensures that your machines won’t create carbon monoxide buildup within your home.
How To Ventilate a laundry Room (Various options)
By law, most laundry rooms need to have a good source of ventilation to prevent harmful chemical vapors from building up. But these laws aren’t always specific about what type of ventilation is needed or how much you need. In addition, individual homeowners and apartment buildings will likely have their own guidelines for laundry room ventilation based on what works best for them.
Several options are available for laundry room ventilation. So, you can choose one or a combination of these options to ventilate your laundry room according to your needs.
Install and utilize a ventilation fan
Ventilation fans are a must-have in your laundry room. The fan pulls air out of your space while bringing fresh air from outside. Most modern models come with an automatic sensor that detects high moisture and humidity levels. Just turn them on and sit back while they do their job! A good rule of thumb is to allow 10 CFM (cubic feet per minute) ventilation for every 10 square feet in your laundry room. Vent fans can be installed through the exterior wall or into the windows.
Ensure that you have adequate natural ventilation
The bottom line is that you need windows, especially if you’re going to be running your washer and dryer at least once a week. The amount of ventilation required depends on how large your washer and dryer are. Leaving a window open in the laundry area can work wonders for keeping moisture away from your home’s interior. Only an opened window without a ventilation system is not the best option if humidity levels are high.
Leave the doors open when using the dryer
The dryer emits high moisture levels, which can cause mold and mildew in your laundry room. To combat moisture buildup, leave your doors and windows open for about 15 minutes after using your dryer. The increased air circulation will dissipate any remaining moisture, preventing it from causing damage to your home. Think about installing vented doors if you don’t want to leave your doors open while running a load of clothes through the dryer to contain the noise.
Traditional ceiling fan
Traditional ceiling fans are not designed for ventilation but can be used for air circulation. These fans can cool down the laundry room quickly without too much energy consumption. A ceiling fan is most useful when paired with other ventilation equipment, like an exhaust or an additional wall or window unit.
What type of ventilation is the best for laundry rooms?
Dryer vents have some advantages over other types of ventilation. However, if your home doesn’t already have a proper setup for them, you’ll need to consider other options. A combination of vent fans with air ducting or ceiling fan installation can be an efficient ventilation system for your laundry room. However, the best option will be the one that fulfills your specific needs and provide effective ventilation within your budget.
Final thoughts
The laundry room also serves as a small storage space that requires regular cleanings to stay tidy and organized. Washers and dryers can make the laundry room very hot while washing and drying your clothes, so you need proper ventilation in the laundry. In addition, with all of the wet towels, sheets, and clothes lying around, these rooms can smell very odd.
Ventilation is an important aspect of home maintenance that many homeowners don’t think about until too late. With a little upfront planning, however, you can add additional ventilation ductwork or upgrade your current system so that you won’t have to worry about excess moisture and mildew in your laundry room. These unwanted irritants can be prevented by properly ventilating your laundry room and providing ventilation for the rest of your home.
Also read: Dryer ventilation
