I am constructing a 2500sf two story single family home on the coast in northern California where the temp remains fairly steady and cool (rarely much above 75 degrees and rarely if ever freezes)and have concerns about air quality and air depressurization and would appreciate some advice. I am building the home using Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) so the house will be very air-tight. There will be outflow of air from bath fans (perhaps on timers throughout the day), a central vac system, and a downdraft vent for a peninsula cooktop. I am installing radiant in floor heat so there will not be air circulation from an air-blowing furnace.

Can you suggest to me the best ways to deal with:
a) providing make up air when the central vac or cooktop downdraft vent are engaged
b) maintaining air quality by circulating fresh air into the home and stale air out.
c) managing moisture build-up (if necessary)

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.:rolleyes:

Are you not planning central air? If not, I would consider at least a small whole house fan. When it is 75 outside, it could reach 85 inside. Opening selective windows on the first floor and turning on the fan will quickly pull the temperature down.

You might consider a vent ducted to the cook top. As for the central vac, cracking a window in the room where you are working could help.

I have tightened my old house up to where I had to add an air duct into my wood burning fire place to get it to draw right.

Size and purchase a energy recovery ventilator for your home. Install during the construction process since it will need to be ducted separately. Our mechanical code requires one for all new homes.