Modern homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your heating and cooling costs small, it’s not so great for bringing ample fresh air inside.
Recently constructed houses are tightly sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. Because of this, your house might appear to smell stuffy, feel too humid or experience troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they may complain of worsening problems.
Fortunately, it’s not hard to enhance the ventilation in your home in Erie. Most of the answers that we’ll go over 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 moderate temperatures. But it’s crucial to be aware this frequently isn’t a year-round option and can cause problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If so, you don’t want to open windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the highest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy days, as the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans eliminates stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other things you don’t want in your house. They’re also reasonable to operate. 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 provides quiet, constant operation. These fans usually include a sensor that will trigger then to run 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 adversely affect 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 right humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right amount of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can boost your home’s indoor air quality and keep your family comfy at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you could have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to fracture. On the other hand, humidity that’s too great can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also lead 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 furnace and air conditioning system. There’s no need to carry an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you move.
It’s also crucial to be aware the correct humidity concentration can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temp, helping you spend less on utility expenses.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the wisest approaches to get additional fresh air into your house year-round. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for chilly climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is great for humid locations, since it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both units, so check with our Patterson & Stirling Inc ventilation pros about what’s a good match for your Erie house.
If stale or persistent odors are an issue in your house, you can also purchase a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an additional level of filtration, which can also help with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you find the right solution for your house. Contact us at 814-308-0416 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your existing equipment and learn about your needs in advance of delivering our suggestions on the ideal possibilities to boost ventilation in your house.