Today’s houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your energy costs low, it’s not so good for bringing ample fresh air inside.
Recently constructed houses are tightly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older houses are able to. Because of this, your home might start to smell stale, feel too humid or experience issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they might complain of increasing issues.
Fortunately, it’s not hard to increase the ventilation in your residence in Columbus. The majority of of the options that we’ll review in a minute are easy and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your home during pleasant temperatures. But it’s crucial to note this typically isn’t a year-round possibility and can lead to problems if someone in your household has seasonal allergies. If so, you shouldn’t open windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the greatest, according to Mayo Clinic. You’ll also want to avoid opening them during dry, windy weather, since the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Turn on Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans eliminates stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other indoor pollutants. They’re also economical to use. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 annually in electricity if you were to operate 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 noiseless, uninterrupted operation. These fans usually come with a sensor that will switch them on automatically when humidity is too high, so you won’t have to think about turning it on or off.
However, it’s important to be aware that an exhaust fan can undesirably influence your house’s temperature, since it’s getting rid of air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Home’s Humidity Even
The right humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct concentration of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can improve your house’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones pleasant 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 influence wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to crack. In contrast, humidity that’s too elevated can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The wisest method 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 across your house, spilling water as you go.
It’s also essential to be aware an accurate humidity amount can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temp, helping you spend less on energy bills.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the smartest methods to bring in additional fresh air into your house all year. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously remove stuffy indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is ideal for cold climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is excellent for humid climates, as it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both systems, so check with our Wolfe & Sons Heating and Cooling ventilation professionals about what’s best for your Columbus residence.
If stale or persistent odors are a problem in your house, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an extra level of filtration, which can also assist with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you select the right solution for your residence. Contact us at 614-451-0846 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your existing equipment and listen to your needs in advance of delivering our advice on the best possibilities to enhance ventilation in your home.