The Stack Effect and Unhealthy Air Flow

Trying to keep the inside of a house heated or cooled is always a challenge. If the basement is freezing, you turn the heat up, but then the upstairs is burning up. Especially if you have an unprotected crawl space, the cold air can make the heating or cooling system work overtime to maintain the desired temperature.

The reason this is so difficult is due to the stack effect. The stack effect is about how air flows through a home. For example, heat leaves the top of the house and cold air is sucked in through the basement or crawl space. In the summertime this effect reverses, and the hot air outside forces cold air down and out through the basement or crawl space. If this effect is causing constant changes in temperature in different parts of the home, it is a problem and here’s how.

Moisture! As air escapes from your home is leaves behind condensation that can mold, rot, and silently destroy the house.

Allergens are another complication. The bottom-up air flow from the stack effect means that all the air from the crawl space or basement is sifted through the entire home. Mildew, mold spores, and smells are lifted into the rest of the home. If you suffer from allergies, this effect can be very harmful.

Lastly, there’s a monetary cost to constant air flow throughout a home. The HVAC system in your home will have to work much harder to keep the house warm with cold air rushing in through the bottom as well as to keep it cooled with hot air coming in trough the top.

To prevent this from happening it is important to have your crawl space or basement properly protected and have improved air quality. If a crawl space is encapsulated with a dehumidifying air system, the air temperature is much harder to effect from outside sources and the quality is much higher.

We offer many different solutions and systems to increase the energy efficiency and lower harmful air flows. If you believe your home could benefit, give us a call at 1-336-283-2338 for a free inspection!