Haven't had great luck with passive vents myself. Sure, they help with humidity, but in my experience they always seem to drop the temp noticeably—especially in colder months. Ended up swapping mine out for a small powered vent with a humidity sensor. Kicks on only when needed, keeps mold at bay, and doesn't chill the space too much. Might be worth considering if drafts become an issue down the road...
"Ended up swapping mine out for a small powered vent with a humidity sensor."
Interesting approach—any noticeable impact on your energy usage? Been debating something similar, but I'm cautious about adding electrical components to a shelter meant for emergencies...
I've done a few shelters myself, and honestly, simpler always felt better. Had a buddy whose powered vent shorted out during a storm—nothing serious, but it left him uneasy. Passive vents might be boring, but they're reliable...just something to consider.
Passive vents are definitely reliable, but I've wondered if they always provide enough airflow, especially in larger shelters or with multiple people inside. A powered vent shorting out sounds sketchy, but maybe a battery backup or manual override could solve that? I'm budget-conscious, but I'd consider spending a bit more if it meant better comfort and air quality during a storm...just thinking out loud here.
Passive vents are solid, but from personal experience, they can get a bit stuffy—especially with more than a couple people. When we first moved into our historic home, the old cellar had passive ventilation only. One stormy night down there with the whole family (and our anxious dog) convinced me pretty quickly to upgrade to a powered vent with a battery backup. Worth every penny for the comfort alone...and no more doggy panic attacks either.
