Today’s houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for keeping your utility costs down, it’s not so great for getting enough fresh air inside.
Newer homes are firmly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older homes can. Subsequently, your residence can start to smell stuffy, feel too humid or have problems with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they might report growing symptoms.
Thankfully, it’s not hard to enhance the ventilation in your home in Reinholds. The majority of of the answers that we’ll review in a minute are uncomplicated and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your residence during moderate temps. But it’s essential to be aware this usually isn’t a year-round solution and can cause problems if someone in your home has seasonal allergies. If this is the case, 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 days, as the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans draws out stale air, extra moisture, odors and other indoor pollutants. They’re also reasonable to run. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 yearly in electricity if you were to run it 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you want to do this, the CEE suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers quiet, uninterrupted operation. These fans often include a sensor that will turn them on automatically when humidity is too high, 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 undesirably influence your house’s temperature, since it’s getting rid of air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity Regulated
The ideal humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct concentration of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can enhance your home’s indoor air quality and keep your home comfortable at a more energy-efficient temp.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you could suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to crack. On the flip side, humidity that’s too great can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The best way to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We have 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 move.
It’s also critical to realize an accurate humidity concentration can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you spend less on heating and cooling expenses.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Adding a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top ways to bring in added fresh air into your house throughout the 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 great for cold climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is good for warm locations, as it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so talk with our County Line Mechanical LLC ventilation experts about what’s best for your Reinholds home.
If stale or lingering odors are an issue in your residence, you can also buy a whole-house air purification system. These systems offer an added 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 solution for your home. Contact us at 717-216-0846 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your present equipment and listen to your needs prior to offering our recommendations on the ideal possibilities to enhance ventilation in your home.