What Rooms Do Not Require Natural Light & Ventilation?

Closets

• Walk-in closets require neither ventilation nor natural light because they are not areas in which you will spend much time. However, if you are converting your walk-in closet to a small office, you will need to use the area with the door open to allow air flow or install ventilation if the natural air flow into the closet is not adequate. This can be done with the addition of a wall vent if you do not wish to add a window to give the room natural light.

Pantries

• Pantries and other food storage areas do best without natural light because direct sunlight can overheat the room and raise the food temperatures to levels that shorten the shelf life. In dry areas, the ventilation from air circulating under the door is adequate. However, in damp climates a lack of ventilation may lead to mold if there is any moisture in the pantry. To avoid mold and mildew problems in an unventilated pantry, you can use dehumidifying agents. These are often available as mineral crystals that absorb moisture from the air. Read directions on these products carefully to ensure they are safe for use in food storage areas.

Passive Ventilation Rooms

• If your home has a room without natural light or ventilation and you want to put it to use as a living area, you can increase the airflow to the area without adding natural light or ventilating fans by increasing the passive ventilation. This means you will need to allow air to naturally flow into and out of the room, such as through a small screened opening or roof vent, which may increase your heating costs for that room during cold weather. If you keep a schedule that doesn't fit your area's sunrise and sunset times, a bedroom without natural light may be beneficial, as it will keep the sun from waking you when you need continued rest. With adequate passive ventilation, any room can become a bedroom. For your safety, install a carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor to ensure that your air quality and oxygen levels are safe for your family and visitors.