Worried about possible break-in, my spouse had the basement windows boarded up. Since this is the room that holds both our central air unit and our cat boxes, the change in ventiliation is noticeable. What is the best way to correct this lack of ventilation? Remove the boards/install an exhaust fan? If I replaced the windows with glass blocks, would leaving the center vent open do the trick? Spouse thinks that using a pipe with a duct fan inside to exhaust basement would work.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Four 2200-sq.-ft. detached homes provide flexible open-plan housing on this Los Angeles block.
Featured Video
Related Stories
-
Podcast 551: Power Tool Batteries, Building as a Third Career, and High DIY -
Podcast 551: Members-only Aftershow—Badly-Built Homes -
Podcast 550: PRO TALK With Carpentry Program Instructor Sandy Thistle and Graduate David Abreu -
Podcast 549: Energy Upgrades, Chimney Inspections, and Questions About a Home You Might Buy
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
around here alot use a vented louves type windows board for hurricane protection.
Others will probably chime in, but I would caution you against using any kind of exhaust fan without providing "make up" air--replacing what the fan sucks out. If you don't, you will have a negative air pressure situation and furnaces may back draft and so on. (Maybe you don't have a furnace or water heater in basement?)
Water heater is in basement - so something to consider. I'm becoming more convinced the answer may be to remove the boards from the windows (and install gates on them for security).