New houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your heating and cooling bills down, it’s not so great for bringing ample fresh air inside.
Newer homes are firmly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older homes are able to. Subsequently, your home may appear to smell musty, feel too humid or experience problems with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they could experience increasing issues.
Luckily, it’s not complicated to improve the ventilation in your home in Safford. Most of the answers that we’ll go over shortly are easy and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest method to get fresh air into your residence during mild weather. But it’s important to be aware this typically isn’t a year-round solution and can create problems if someone in your home 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 shouldn’t open them during dry, windy conditions, since the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans draws out stale air, excess moisture, odors and other indoor pollutants. They’re also inexpensive to use. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 yearly in electricity if you were to keep it on 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you want to do this, the CEE advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly noiseless, uninterrupted operation. These fans frequently come with a sensor that will switch 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 important to note that an exhaust fan can adversely affect your residence’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity Regulated
The right humidity level for your house is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal amount of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can boost your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your home comfy at a more energy-efficient temp.
If there isn’t enough humidity, you can experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to split. On the flip side, humidity that’s too great can make air feel 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 have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. You won’t have to transport an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you go.
It’s also crucial to know the right humidity level can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you save more on energy expenses.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Adding a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best methods to get additional fresh air into your home year-round. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is ideal for chilly climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is good for warm locations, as it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both units, so check with our B&D Air Conditioning ventilation pros about what’s ideal for your Safford home.
If stale or ongoing odors are trouble in your home, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an added level of filtration, which can also assist with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you choose the ideal option for your house. Contact us at 928-432-6018 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your current equipment and learn about your needs prior to delivering our suggestions on the best options to enhance ventilation in your home.