A basement filled with damp, musty air is not an unusual thing. It’s a common feature resulting from seasonal water issues along with a lack of ventilation. So, if you’re constantly facing this issue, we’re here to guide you to the proper ventilation system.
A ventilation system in your basement will help ensure fresh air quality by eliminating moisture-ridden and infested air. By investing in a ventilation fan system, you benefit from a healthier living environment, especially if you’re living in a small space.
A ventilation fan normally operates by drawing out the musty and humid air from the room by delivering fresh air. As the fan run continuously, the uninterrupted flow of clean and fresh air leaves very little space for mild & mildew spores.
So, who’s ready to invest in a high-quality basement ventilation system? Let’s get started.
Best Ventilation System for Basement
Looking for a new ventilation system? Here’s our top pick for the best ventilation system for the basement.
1 Tjernlund X2D Reversible Basement Fan
The X2D Reversible fan from Tjernlund presents an affordable way of ventilating the basement. This helps keeps humidity and several other issues in check – all of which do not stand a chance against the galvanized steel construction of the fan. The material known for its resilience against time will serve as a great defender against a musty and humid environment.
It comes with two fans placed on each model, which then help deliver fresh air into the basement or remove musty air from the area. Each fan offers around 90CFM of ventilation power. This basement ventilation fan is ideal for dealing with contaminated air, ventilating hot garages and workshops, or supplying fresh air in small space homes.
Additionally, it comes with an in-built thermostat, meaning the fan starts to operate only when its thermostat reaches 40 F. Now, unlike many ventilation systems, you can easily install this model through a vent opening.
Pros
• Reversible Design
• Sturdy construction
Cons
• Flimsy mesh filter
2. Tjernlund X2R Xchanger Ventilation Fan
The Tjernlund X2R is a remote-controlled Xchanger ventilation fan system, and it’s not just crafted for basement use but also for other areas. If you have a hot garage or small storage areas, the X2R Xchnager ventilation is a great choice for ventilation.
It comes in a sturdy construction with dual reversible fans to exhaust contaminated air or deliver fresh air into the basement. Each fan comes with a power of 90 CFM. Performance-wise, the Xchanger fans only use around 40 watts, which is much lesser than many typical humidifiers.
Along with exhausting contaminated air and supplying fresh air, the system also dehumidifies and freshens non-ventilated crawl spaces. Plus, if your basement has high radon levels, it can help dilute the level.
Overall, the Tjernlund X2R is a great ventilation option for those with a stale and musty basement. Plus, the fan includes magnetic covers, which makes the fan well protected during cold weather. While the fan filter keeps bugs and other debris from entering.
Pros
• Sturdy and great built
• Heavy-duty fan controller
Cons
• A little noisy
3. AC Infinity T7 Airtitan
The Airtitan T7 from AC Infinity is a high-airflow ventilation system designed to maintain temperature & humidity levels in the basement, attic, garage, and crawl space. The T7 system can help reduce humidity levels that contribute to mold growth while exhausting harmful odors and pollutants such as radon.
The dual fan ventilation system features an LCD display operated by a smart thermostat along with dehumidistat control. The fan speeds are also customizable. The system further supports a programmable controller which can adjust the airflow according to humidity and temperature. The system program can also be set to continuously run or be placed on a timer.
A heavy-duty aluminum frame protects the system. Performance-wise, the fans can maximize airflow without high power consumption via its PWM-controlled DC motors. Additionally, its dual fans are liquid and dust resistant.
If you’re looking for a ventilation fan system without the chunky frame of a typical ventilation system, the T7 Airtitan is the best pick. The system is great for those interested in a high-end programmable and heavy-duty performance machine.
Pros
- Quiet motor
- Smart programming system
Cons
- Bug screen is not present
4. AC Infinity T8 Airtitan Basement Fan
Like the T7 Airtitan, this one is also well-equipped and designed to handle high humidity and temperature levels in various spaces such as the basement, garages, attic, and other crawl spaces. It comes with various high-tech features such as the LCD display, customizable fan speeds, etc.
In terms of programming, the controller of each unit comes with active temp and humidity monitoring to respond to different temp and humidity. The entire system is also backed by additional features such as alarm warnings, eco-mode, backup memory, and failure alerts.
Looking at its built, the T8 comes in a sturdy stainless steel frame that’s highly resistant to dust and liquid. The system utilizes DC motors controlled via PWM, allowing fans to maximize airflow without increasing noise and power consumption.
In addition, its motor system features dual-ball bearings rated at over 60,000 hours, while placement-wise, the ventilation system can be mounted either horizontally or vertically.
Pros
- Value for money
- Noise free
Cons
- Difficult installation under crawl space
5. CADPXS DuraAir Ventilator Fan
The DuraAir Ventilator Fan from CADPXS is the cure for all crawl space ventilation issues. It can help clear out excess moisture from the foundation to ensure a healthy airflow. The system itself comes humid proof with its aluminum-zinc housing along with a powerful operating voltage of about 1000V AC.
Thanks to its durable centrifugal blades, it features a quiet & powerful operation that operates with reduced noise without minimizing performance. The fan automatically shuts on/off according to your desired humidity level. Fan operation and control are also pretty easy due to its intuitive control panel that allows accurate and easy control.
The thermostat system shuts off completely once it detects low outdoor temperature. Optimal operations return to normal once the outdoor temperature rises to around 50 F, making the system extremely cost-efficient.
Overall, the DuraAir ventilator fan is relatively easy to install despite its high-tech features. It promises an efficient, quick & simple solution for any humid-prone areas.
Pros
- Great design
- Quiet hum
Cons
- Vague installation instruction
Why is basement ventilation important?
Unhealthy airflow due to moisture build-up, humidity, etc., in the basement, can negatively affect your health. It can also end up destroying your home.
Hence, it’s important to always keep your basement well-ventilated to ensure you’re getting a proper supply of fresh air. Here are a few reasons why it’s important to keep your basement ventilated:
Moisture level
Basements are known to be the cooler area of the house. So, if you’re planning on increasing its usage, keeping the moisture and humidity level in check through proper ventilation is one way to do it.
This will help you get more use of your basement area while also reducing the cost of eliminating high radon or mold issues. Plus, if you’re planning on converting your basement into something else, ventilation should be at the top of your list to check off.
Mold and mildew
If your basement is ventilated -be it manually or mechanically, it leaves very little space for mold and mildew to form. This is an essential factor to consider as these substances are quite hazardous and can even affect the structure of the building.
A good ventilation system, especially a manual one, can eliminate these substances while maintaining the right amount of humidity and temp levels.
Furniture and carpet damage
Excess moisture is not only dangerous for your health and basement, but it can also cause extreme damage to your furniture, such as carpets, couches, and wooden furniture. The best way to eradicate this issue is to use a well-ventilated system.
Radon
Radon is a form of gas produced by decaying elements such as uranium. Although every home contains some radon level, this radioactive gas is known to be dangerous when found at a high level.
As basements are the first level of contact for radon, this area usually contains high gas levels. So, a proper ventilation system is highly recommended to stabilize high radon levels.
How to improve basement ventilation
Basements are known to be the darkest and dingiest part of a house, and ventilation is normally not the primary feature of such a room. The placement of washer and dryer machines paired with a lack of ventilation can lead to excess moisture.
This is a proper indication that you may have to improve your basement ventilation. But how? Here are two ways to carry it out.
Mechanical ventilation system
The mechanical system is considered the most effective method, especially in the case of excessively humid basements. This is because natural ventilation may not be sufficient enough for proper ventilation.
Mechanical systems are also known to contain sensors that can help regulate your basement’s needs. You can go for an exhaust system, which tends to be more expensive, or go for a cheaper option, a box fan.
Natural ventilation
Natural ventilation allows fresh air to circulate throughout the basement by allowing a natural form of ventilation. If you have windows or space for installing windows, using them is the best to ensure natural ventilation.
For natural ventilation, a basement will require around 2 windows that can be opened and closed freely.
Types of mechanical ventilation systems
When it comes to mechanical ventilation systems, there are various types to utilize according to your needs. Here’s a look at it:
Exhaust fans
This one is considered the most cost-effective option. An exhaust fan system works by pushing or removing stale air from the basement while allowing fresh air to enter from the outside.
You can also place an exhaust fan on one side and a ventilation fan on the other. However, if you have a small basement space, an exhaust fan will be sufficient.
Forced air
A forced-air system is an air supply system that can connect to any existing HVAC system. This particular ventilation system operates by pulling in the inside air and passing it through an air filter, which heats through a furnace.
The process continues until the desired temperature is met. As most forced air systems come with dehumidifiers, the air pumped will be relatively moisture-free.
Radon mitigation system
A radon mitigation system isn’t always required, but it counts as an excellent system if your basement has an excessive radon level. You can also remove radon through other means or other ventilation systems.
However, a radon mitigation system can specifically eliminate extremely high radon levels efficiently.
How to install a ventilation exhaust fan in a basement
The installation process for a ventilation system varies according to the product. This is because not all ventilation systems carry the same size.
However, here’s a general overview on installing an exhaust fan in the basement:
1. Choose a proper installation location. The most usual spot is on the wall where the system can be mounted or fitted.
2. Next, you can adapt a window or measure the size of your system and make a hole accordingly on the wall.
3. After the system is placed, you can begin arranging the electrical installation. If you’re not an expert at this, we suggest you call an electrician to have it set.
4. Lastly, you can seal the edges surrounding the system to ensure no water or other contaminants go through it.
Additional considerations
Investing in a ventilation system can only be as good as the features. Hence, here are some additional features worth considering during a purchase:
Auto on/off
The auto on/off is an essential feature as it can save both money and time. Today, tons of ventilator fans come with humidity sensors that respond according to the temp level.
Noise level
A ventilation system typically runs continuously, and so does the noise. This means if you want to avoid the noise, you’ll have to pick a system that comes with a low DB. For the best noise-free system, make sure it does not exceed 50 DB.
Power consumption
High power consumption means a higher electricity bill. Hence, the power efficiency of the fan is vital. Now, this doesn’t mean you’ll have to buy overpriced systems. Instead, you can simply purchase an exhaust fan without a dehumidifier or buy an automated ventilated system to consume less energy.
Airflow capacity
When purchasing a ventilation fan system, you’ll have to understand the airflow capacity. Typically, 1 CFM equals 1sq. ft. of ventilation. So, measure your basement carefully and calculate the exact amount of CFM required accordingly.
Closing thoughts
This brings us to the end of our guide for the best basement ventilation system. From providing our top picks to including additional tips, we hope our article can assist you in making the right choice.
That said, a proper ventilation system should be an essential feature in any basement as it can help regulate fresh air. Investing in a proper system such as the Tjernlund X2D Reversible Basement Fan serves a great purpose.
It’s an all-around ventilation system that comes with excellent power. The system is an excellent choice for those interested in an affordable, high-performing system.