Modern residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your heating and cooling expenses low, it’s not so great for getting enough fresh air inside.
Recently constructed homes are firmly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older houses can. As a result, your home might appear to smell stale, feel too humid or experience troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they might complain of increasing problems.
Fortunately, it’s not hard to improve the ventilation in your home in Florissant. The majority of of the options that we’ll go over soon are easy and inexpensive.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest way to get fresh air into your residence during moderate weather. But it’s crucial to note this usually isn’t a year-round option and can cause problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If so, you’ll want to avoid opening windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the highest, according to Mayo Clinic. You’ll also want to avoid opening them during dry, windy weather, since the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Operate Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans gets rid of stale air, extra 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 suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly noiseless, continuous operation. These fans usually include a sensor that will switch them on automatically when there’s too much humidity, so you won’t have to remember to turn it on or off.
However, it’s essential to be aware that an exhaust fan can negatively affect your house’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity in Check
The best humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal percentage of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can improve your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your household comfy at a more energy-efficient setting.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you can have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to splinter. On the other hand, humidity that’s too high can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The smartest way to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We offer humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. There’s no need to lug an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you move.
It’s also essential to be aware the correct humidity concentration can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient setting, helping you pay less on heating and cooling expenses.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best methods to get more fresh air into your house year-round. There are two different types—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually eliminate musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is good for cool climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is good for humid areas, since it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both units, so ask our B & B Heating & Cooling ventilation pros about what’s a good fit for your Florissant home.
If musty or ongoing odors are an issue in your home, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an added level of filtration, which can also assist with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you choose the right option for your house. Contact us at 314-325-7552 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your current equipment and listen to your needs in advance of offering our suggestions on the best options to boost ventilation in your house.