Modern houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your energy expenses small, it’s bad for bringing adequate fresh air inside.
Recently constructed houses are tightly sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. As a result, your house can begin to smell stuffy, feel too humid or have troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, they could report increasing problems.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to enhance the ventilation in your home in Tucker. Most of the answers that we’ll discuss soon are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest way to get fresh air into your residence during mild temps. But it’s essential to note this typically isn’t a year-round option and can create problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If so, you’ll want to avoid opening windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the worst, according to Mayo Clinic. You’ll also want to avoid opening them during dry, windy conditions, since the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Operate 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 yearly in electricity if you were to operate it 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you’re looking into this, the CEE advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers nearly noiseless, constant operation. These fans often come with a sensor that will turn 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 essential to note that an exhaust fan can adversely influence your house’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity in Check
The ideal humidity level for your house is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal percentage of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can enhance your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones pleasant at a more energy-efficient temp.
If the humidity is too low, you might have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to splinter. In contrast, humidity that’s too elevated can make air seem stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and irritate allergies or asthma.
The wisest method to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We offer humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. You don’t need to carry an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you go.
It’s also crucial to be aware the right humidity concentration can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you save more on heating and cooling expenses.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top ways to introduce added fresh air into your residence all year. There are two different types—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously eliminate stuffy indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is good for cold climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is good for hot climates, because it pulls out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both systems, so check with our ACS Heating and Air Conditioning ventilation professionals about what’s best for your Tucker residence.
If musty or persistent odors are trouble in your house, you can also purchase a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an added level of filtration, which can also assist with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you select the right product for your residence. Contact us at 770-450-1539 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your current equipment and find out about your needs prior to giving our recommendations on the best possibilities to increase ventilation in your home.