New residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your heating and cooling bills down, it’s not so good for bringing enough fresh air inside.
Recently constructed homes are firmly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. Because of this, your house could start to smell stale, feel too humid or have troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they could experience growing problems.
Thankfully, it’s not complicated to enhance the ventilation in your home in Justin. Most of the options that we’ll talk about shortly are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest way to get fresh air into your house during mild temps. But it’s essential to be aware 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’ll also want to avoid opening them during dry, windy weather, as the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Operate Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans gets rid of stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also reasonable to operate. 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 looking into this, the CEE recommends looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly silent, uninterrupted operation. These fans often are equipped with a sensor that will switch them on automatically when there’s too much humidity, so you won’t have to think about turning it on or off.
However, it’s important to know that an exhaust fan can undesirably affect your house’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Home’s Humidity Even
The right humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct concentration of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can boost your house’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones comfy at a more energy-efficient setting.
If the humidity is too low, you could experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to splinter. 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 worsen allergies or asthma.
The wisest approach to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. You don’t need to transport an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you move.
It’s also essential to be aware the right humidity concentration can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient setting, helping you spend less on energy expenses.
4. Get a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top methods to bring in additional fresh air into your home throughout the year. There are two different types—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is ideal for cool climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is fantastic for hot locations, since it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both systems, so ask our Pepper AC & Htg Inc ventilation professionals about what’s best for your Justin house.
If stuffy or lingering odors are trouble in your home, you can also buy a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an added level of filtration, which can also help with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you find the right option for your residence. Contact us at 940-202-1184 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your present equipment and find out about your needs before providing our suggestions on the best possibilities to increase ventilation in your house.