Modern residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for keeping your energy bills small, it’s not so great for getting adequate fresh air inside.
Recently built residences are tightly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. As a result, your house might start to smell musty, feel too humid or have issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they could complain of increasing problems.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to improve the ventilation in your home in Logan. Many of the solutions that we’ll review in a minute are easy and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest approach to get fresh air into your home during mild temps. But it’s crucial to note this usually isn’t a year-round solution and can lead to problems if someone in your household has seasonal allergies. If so, you don’t want to open windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the worst, according to Mayo Clinic. You also don’t want to open them during dry, windy conditions, as the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Operate Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Using these fans eliminates stale air, extra moisture, odors and other things you don’t want in your house. They’re also inexpensive to use. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 annually in electricity if you were to operate it 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 offers nearly silent, constant operation. These fans typically come with a sensor that will switch them on automatically when there’s too much humidity, 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 impact your residence’s temperature, since it’s getting rid of air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity Even
The best humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal concentration of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can enhance your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your residence pleasant at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If there isn’t enough humidity, you may experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to fracture. On the flip side, humidity that’s too high can make air seem stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The smartest way to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. You won’t have to carry an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you go.
It’s also important to note the right humidity amount can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient setting, helping you save more on utility costs.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Adding a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top ways to introduce more fresh air into your residence year-round. There are two different types—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 good for cold climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is good for warm climates, since it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both systems, so ask our Western Mechanical, Inc. ventilation experts about what’s best for your Logan house.
If stale or persistent odors are a problem in your residence, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems deliver an added level of filtration, which can also provide support with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you choose the right solution for your residence. Contact us at 435-753-5515 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your present equipment and listen to your needs before giving our recommendations on the ideal options to improve ventilation in your residence.