Vanlife Ventilation
Ventilation is crucial in Vanlife for several reasons:
The most obvious need for fans is Comfort & Temperature Regulation. Ventilation helps regulate the temperature inside the van. During hot weather, proper ventilation allows for the expulsion of hot air, helping to keep the interior cool. When camped in locations with no breeze a fan becomes a saviour by adding some much needed air flow in your van.
Your fan can also help with Odor Control. Ventilation helps to remove unpleasant odors from the van, whether they stem from cooking, pets, or other sources. Fresh air circulation helps to dissipate odors and maintain a more pleasant living environment and who doesn’t want a nice fresh smelling van! It is our tiny home after all.
Ventilation is also a Safety Feature. Proper ventilation is essential for safety, especially when cooking inside the van. Ventilation systems can help remove cooking fumes and if using a portable gas stove they can prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly gas.
But the least known reason for proper ventilation is in fact possibly the most important. Moisture Control. Condensation can quickly build up inside a van, especially during colder weather when warm air from cooking or breathing meets the colder surfaces of the van walls. Proper ventilation helps to reduce condensation, preventing moisture-related problems such as mold, mildew, and rust.
During the night moisture build up becomes the most obvious. This is because overnight one sleeping person adds half a pint/300mls of water to the air overnight, and at twice that rate if the person is active during the day. Without an exhaust fan in your van all that water will end up condense on your vans walls and windows and running down into cracks and crevices of your interior fit out causing all kinds of issues.
Another time condensation becomes noticeable is during rainy days. While we all dream of the picturesque, instagramable Vanlife the truth is there will be rainy days where we are often trapped inside our van waiting out the storm.
So how do we combat condensation with ventilation to keep ourselves comfortable and our vans moisture free? I use two products in all my van builds. The first and most important component of any van build (in my opinion) is to install the Maxx Air Vent. Now, why do I choose this specific product?
MAXX AIR VENT
• The fan runs in bot the pull out or push air in mode.
• It is quiet enough to keep on low while sleeping and I recommend installing it directly above your sleeping area.
• The hood design allows it to be open and running even during a rain storm, no rain will come in. This is super important as previously mentioned this is the time you will need your fan the most.
• Nice to have but not as important is the Deluxe model which comes with a remote. I love this because I like to keep the fan off and closed while driving - I also always forget to turn it off and inevitable remember right as I hit the highway and can hear the air coming in. So I mount the remote accessible to the drivers seat and use it to turn off my fan whenever I forget (which is each and every time)
SIRROCO II
• This fan is secondary to the Maxi Vent, if you can only afford one just do the vent and save this one for later, it can easily be added later on (remember to pre wire for it) but paired together these two are unstoppable!!
• The blades are soft so if you accidentally bump it in your tiny tiny living space it won’t hurt you
• They are designed for boats so can handle the movement of the car
• They operate quietly so again are perfect for sleeping
• Multi directional make them perfect so you can face it where you need it
In summary, ventilation plays a vital role in vanlife by improving air quality, regulating temperature and moisture levels, enhancing comfort, promoting good health, controlling odors, and ensuring safety. Proper ventilation systems or strategies are essential for a comfortable and healthy living experience in a van.
MAXX AIR VENT BONUS VANLIFE HACK!
Mosquitoes or flies, or any kind of flying bug. If you’re headed to bed and find there is a lot of bugs in the van, remove the inside grill cover of the Maxx Air Vent. Turn the fan up to high on the suck air out setting. Turn off all lights and shine a torch into the blades of the fan. Let the bugs head towards the light and be sucked out to freedom! Enjoy your sleep!