An invisible threat at home: why ventilation is much more than just comfort
In homes across the North Shore, indoor air quality is often overlooked. Yet poor residential ventilation can hide serious dangers to your health, comfort, and even the structural integrity of your home. At AirGreen, we intervene every week in houses located in Laval, Blainville, Saint-Jérôme, Boisbriand, Repentigny, and beyond, to correct critical situations caused by poor air circulation or defective or poorly installed ventilation systems.
Through this article, we want to share with you 5 real dangers, often invisible, hiding in the air of your home. These threats can be avoided with a professional HVAC ventilation installation done by a certified team like ours. Now more than ever, indoor air quality must be treated as a priority.
1. Excess humidity: the perfect breeding ground for mold and fungus
In several single-family homes in Laval and Bois-des-Filion, we recently observed alarming humidity levels, sometimes exceeding 75%, caused by an insufficient or outdated ventilation system. This stagnant humidity fosters the growth of mold, a powerful allergen that can lead to:
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Chronic respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis).
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Eye, skin, and throat irritation.
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Premature degradation of building materials (drywall, framing).
Our intervention: In Sainte-Thérèse, we installed a central ventilation system with a Venmar AVS® N Series heat recovery ventilator (HRV), coupled with insulated ducts running through the attic. In less than a week, humidity levels returned to optimal conditions, without the need for additional dehumidifiers.
2. CO2 buildup and other pollutants: air that exhausts your brain
Indoor air can contain three to five times more CO2 than outdoor air, especially in well-insulated and airtight homes. This accumulation is common in closed bedrooms, finished basements, or home offices without air exchange systems.
Consequences of excess carbon dioxide:
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Frequent headaches, persistent fatigue.
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Difficulty concentrating.
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Restless sleep.
Our intervention: In Mirabel, a family was experiencing unexplained migraines. After analysis, we identified stagnant air in the closed bedrooms. We installed a mechanical ventilation system with smart CO2 sensors that automatically regulate air renewal based on actual needs. The result: immediate improvement in comfort.
3. Radon: the silent radioactive gas present in many North Shore areas
Radon is an odorless radioactive gas that comes from the ground and is known as the second leading cause of lung cancer in Canada. Areas like Terrebonne, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, and Mascouche are identified as moderate to high-risk zones.
Proper ventilation is the only long-term solution for removing radon from a home by creating slight overpressure or continuous air renewal in the basement.
Our intervention: In Bois-des-Filion, after tests revealed a radon level of 250 Bq/m³, we implemented an active sub-slab depressurization system, combined with a high-efficiency continuous fan. Radon levels dropped to below 40 Bq/m³ within weeks.
4. Spread of bacteria, viruses, and VOCs in poorly filtered air
Clogged, dirty, or missing ventilation encourages the accumulation of:
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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by paints, furniture, and cleaning products.
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Bacteria and viruses (including coronaviruses), which stagnate in ducts or ambient air.
Children and seniors are the most vulnerable to these pollutants.
Our intervention: In a daycare in Saint-Eustache, we replaced an outdated ventilation hood with a centralized solution equipped with HEPA MERV 13 filters, ensuring optimal air quality 24/7. Frequent colds among children drastically decreased, according to management.
5. Poor ventilation hurts your HVAC system, increases your bills, and reduces your comfort
Without balanced ventilation, your heat pump, furnace, or wall-mounted air conditioner works harder to maintain the temperature. This leads to:
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Higher energy consumption.
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Premature wear on your equipment.
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Uneven heating or cooling between rooms.
Our intervention: In Rosemère, we installed an automatic zoning ventilation system to adjust airflow in each room. Combined with a central Bosch BOVA heat pump, this resulted in a 28% reduction in electricity consumption related to heating.
Why choose AirGreen for your ventilation needs on the North Shore?
At AirGreen, we don’t just install a fan. We diagnose, analyze, and design complete ventilation solutions, tailored to each home or commercial building on the North Shore, including Laval, Saint-Jérôme, Deux-Montagnes, Repentigny, and Blainville.
Our certified technicians handle everything:
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Air quality analysis and radon or CO2 testing.
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Precise airflow calculations based on surface area and occupancy.
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Installation of energy-efficient systems eligible for government grants.
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Regular maintenance and replacement of ventilation filters.
Mistakes to absolutely avoid
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Not maintaining your ducts or HRV.
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Relying solely on your kitchen hood as your only ventilation system.
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Blocking air vents to "keep the heat in."
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Forgetting the basement in your ventilation plan.
Our practical recommendations
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Have your ventilation inspected every 2 years.
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Choose a heat recovery ventilation system (HRV) for the Québec climate.
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Consider coupling ventilation with air purification (HEPA filtration, ionization).
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Ask for your personalized ventilation audit, offered by AirGreen in several areas.
Our mission: clean, healthy, and comfortable air in your home, all year round
Indoor air quality is a pillar of modern residential health, and still too often neglected. At AirGreen, we’ve helped hundreds of households across the North Shore implement efficient, quiet, and durable ventilation systems, offering much more than comfort: true peace of mind.
Don’t wait for visible signs to appear: odors, condensation, chronic fatigue… These symptoms are warning signs that your indoor air needs attention. Contact us for a free assessment of your residential or commercial ventilation system.
Call AirGreen today for smarter, healthier ventilation on the North Shore.