What Is the Stack Effect?

The stack effect is a term used to describe the way air circulates throughout your home, particularly during extreme weather. During the summer, the humid air outside makes its way inside the foundation. Hot air is lighter than cold air, so the air in your foundation rises into your home. It’s because of the stack effect that 50% of the air you breathe in your home comes from your foundation. During the winter, something similar happens.

Because of air buoyancy, the hot air in your home rises and has trouble circulating through your home because of the dense, cold air that is flowing from the foundation. Your floors remain cold while all the warm air from your HVAC system escapes through the attic or chimney. The stack effect influences many aspects of your day-to-day life, such as your energy consumption during winter and summer. Because of the invading air, your HVAC and AC have to work harder, thus consuming more energy than it needs to. Waterproofing and encapsulating your foundation gets rid of this problem and lowers your energy bills considerably.

The stack effect can also contribute to a health hazard. If there is any mold in your basement, the spores will be brought up into your home as the warm air rises. Mold spores can trigger allergies and cause eye, skin, throat, and nose irritation. Long-term exposure to mold can lead to permanent problems with your respiratory system, so waterproofing your foundation should be a priority. If you control the humidity in your foundation, you’ll be able to control the air circulation a lot better.