Today’s residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your heating and cooling bills small, it’s not so good for introducing enough fresh air inside.
Recently constructed residences are firmly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older residences do. As a result, your house may appear to smell stuffy, feel too humid or have troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, they could complain of increasing problems.
Luckily, it’s not hard to increase the ventilation in your residence in Georgetown. Many of the solutions that we’ll discuss in a minute are simple and inexpensive.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest approach to get fresh air into your residence during pleasant temperatures. But it’s crucial to be aware this frequently isn’t a year-round solution and can lead to problems if someone in your household has seasonal allergies. If this applies to you, you shouldn’t open windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the greatest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also don’t want to open them during dry, windy days, because the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Operate Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans eliminates stale air, excess 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 each year in electricity if you were to operate it 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 delivers quiet, uninterrupted operation. These fans usually include a sensor that will turn 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 know that an exhaust fan can negatively impact your home’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity Regulated
The right humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct percentage of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can boost your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your family comfy at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If there isn’t enough humidity, you could have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to split. On the other hand, humidity that’s too high can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth and irritate allergies or asthma.
The wisest way to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. There’s no need to lug an inefficient portable system around your home, spilling water as you move.
It’s also critical to note the right humidity amount can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you spend less on utility costs.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top methods to get added fresh air into your residence year-round. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually get rid of stuffy indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for cool climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is great for warm climates, because it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both units, so check with our Miller Climate Control LLC ventilation pros about what’s a good match for your Georgetown home.
If stale or persistent odors are trouble in your home, you can also purchase a whole-house air purification system. These systems deliver an extra level of filtration, which can also help with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you choose the right product for your home. Contact us at 512-937-2001 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your present equipment and listen to your needs prior to delivering our recommendations on the right solutions to improve ventilation in your home.