New houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for keeping your utility costs down, it’s bad for getting adequate fresh air inside.
Recently built homes are securely sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older houses can. Subsequently, your home can start to smell stuffy, feel too humid or run into problems with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they might experience growing problems.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to increase the ventilation in your residence in Ballwin and St. Charles. Many of the answers that we’ll talk about soon are simple and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your residence during moderate temps. But it’s crucial to be aware this typically isn’t a year-round option 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 greatest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy weather, since the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans gets rid of stale air, excess moisture, odors and other indoor pollutants. They’re also reasonable to run. 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 interested in doing this, the CEE suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers nearly silent, uninterrupted operation. These fans typically 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 note that an exhaust fan can negatively impact your home’s temperature, since it’s getting rid of air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity Even
The ideal humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct amount of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can boost your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your home comfy at a more energy-efficient setting.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you may have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to crack. On the flip side, humidity that’s too great can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and irritate allergies or asthma.
The best method to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We offer humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. You won’t have to lug an inefficient portable system around your home, spilling water as you walk.
It’s also critical to be aware an accurate humidity level can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient setting, helping you spend less on heating and cooling bills.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the wisest methods 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 good for cool climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is excellent for warm areas, because it pulls out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so check with our Air Alliance Team ventilation pros about what’s a good match for your Ballwin and St. Charles house.
If stuffy or persistent odors are trouble in your house, you can also purchase a whole-house air purification system. These systems offer an extra level of filtration, which can also assist with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you select the best option for your house. Contact us at 636-206-4250 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your present equipment and listen to your needs prior to giving our advice on the right possibilities to increase ventilation in your residence.