Today’s homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your heating and cooling costs down, it’s not so good for bringing enough fresh air inside.
Newer homes are firmly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older residences can. Subsequently, your residence can begin to smell stale, feel too humid or experience troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they could report increasing symptoms.
Luckily, it’s not hard to enhance the ventilation in your residence in Eastland. Most of the answers that we’ll review in a minute are uncomplicated and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your home during pleasant temperatures. But it’s essential to be aware this typically isn’t a year-round option and can cause problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If this applies to you, you don’t want to open windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the greatest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy conditions, because the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans eliminates stale air, extra moisture, odors and other things you don’t want in your house. They’re also economical to use. 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 interested in doing this, the CEE recommends looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that provides nearly noiseless, constant operation. These fans often include a sensor that will turn them on automatically when humidity is too high, so you won’t have to remember to turn it on or off.
However, it’s crucial to know that an exhaust fan can negatively impact your house’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Home’s Humidity Regulated
The right humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal concentration of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can improve your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones comfy at a more energy-efficient temp.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you could have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to splinter. On the flip side, humidity that’s too elevated can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The best approach to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. There’s no need to lug an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you go.
It’s also essential to realize the right humidity level can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you pay less on energy costs.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the wisest approaches to bring in added fresh air into your house throughout the year. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually get rid of 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 lets out. ERV is good for warm locations, since it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both units, so ask our J & J Air Conditioning ventilation pros about what’s ideal for your Eastland house.
If stale or lingering odors are a problem in your home, you can also buy a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an additional level of filtration, which can also provide support with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you find the ideal option for your residence. Contact us at 254-355-3833 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your present equipment and learn about your needs before delivering our advice on the best solutions to boost ventilation in your home.