Modern houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your heating and cooling costs low, it’s bad for introducing adequate fresh air inside.
Newer residences are tightly sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. Consequently, your house can start to smell stuffy, feel too humid or experience problems with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they might complain of worsening problems.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to increase the ventilation in your residence in Jefferson City. Most of the answers that we’ll go over shortly are easy and inexpensive.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest method to get fresh air into your residence during moderate weather. But it’s essential to be aware this frequently isn’t a year-round solution and can lead to problems if someone in your home has seasonal allergies. If this applies to you, 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, as the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Use Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans eliminates stale air, extra moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also economical to operate. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 annually 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 recommends looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers nearly silent, constant operation. These fans typically 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 crucial to be aware that an exhaust fan can adversely impact your residence’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity in Check
The right humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal amount of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can boost your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your household comfy at a more energy-efficient temp.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you may suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to crack. On the flip side, humidity that’s too elevated can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and irritate allergies or asthma.
The smartest method to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. You don’t need to lug an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you move.
It’s also critical to be aware the correct humidity amount can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you pay less on energy expenses.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Adding a mechanical ventilation system is one of the wisest ways to bring in more fresh air into your house throughout the year. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually get rid of musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is good for cool climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is excellent for hot climates, since it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both systems, so check with our Stieferman Heating Company Inc ventilation pros about what’s best for your Jefferson City home.
If musty or ongoing odors are a problem in your home, you can also purchase a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an extra level of filtration, which can also provide support with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you choose the right option for your residence. Contact us at 573-635-3547 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your current equipment and learn about your needs before providing our advice on the best solutions to improve ventilation in your home.