Modern residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your energy bills down, it’s bad for getting ample fresh air inside.
Recently built residences are firmly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older houses are able to. Subsequently, your house might start to smell stuffy, feel too humid or experience troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, they might experience growing symptoms.
Thankfully, it’s not difficult to increase the ventilation in your house in Dresden. The majority of of the answers that we’ll review in a minute are easy and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your house during moderate temps. But it’s important to note this typically isn’t a year-round possibility and can create problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If this applies to you, you shouldn’t open windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the highest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also don’t want to open them during dry, windy conditions, since the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans gets rid of stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also economical to operate. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 each year in electricity if you were to keep it on 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you’re looking into this, the CEE suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers nearly noiseless, constant operation. These fans typically come with a sensor that will switch them on automatically when humidity is too elevated, so you won’t have to make a note to turn it on or off.
However, it’s important to note that an exhaust fan can adversely influence your home’s temperature, since it’s getting rid of air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity in Check
The ideal humidity level for your house is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct concentration of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can enhance your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your home comfy at a more energy-efficient temp.
If the humidity is too low, you may suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to fracture. In contrast, humidity that’s too great can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The wisest method to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We offer humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. You won’t have to lug an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you go.
It’s also important to note an accurate humidity amount can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient setting, helping you pay less on heating and cooling costs.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the smartest methods to bring in more fresh air into your home all year. There are two different types—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for chilly climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is good for hot areas, as it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so talk with our McFadden Heating & Cooling ventilation professionals about what’s ideal for your Dresden residence.
If musty or lingering odors are an issue in your home, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an extra level of filtration, which can also help with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you find the right product for your house. Contact us at 1-866-781-0111 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your existing equipment and learn about your needs prior to providing our suggestions on the right solutions to improve ventilation in your home.