Today’s houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for keeping your utility bills down, it’s not so good for introducing adequate fresh air inside.
Recently built houses are firmly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. Consequently, your house may appear to smell stuffy, feel too humid or experience problems with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, they could experience growing symptoms.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to improve the ventilation in your residence in Northglenn. The majority of of the options that we’ll go over in a minute are easy and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your home during pleasant temps. But it’s crucial to note this usually 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’ll want to avoid opening windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the highest, 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 eliminates stale air, extra moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also inexpensive to run. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 yearly 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 advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers quiet, continuous operation. These fans usually come with 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 essential to know that an exhaust fan can undesirably influence your residence’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity Balanced
The ideal humidity level for your house is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct percentage of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can enhance your house’s indoor air quality and keep your family comfortable at a more energy-efficient temp.
If there isn’t enough humidity, you may suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to split. On the other hand, humidity that’s too high can make air seem stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The smartest approach to keep humidity regulated is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. There’s no need to carry an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you go.
It’s also essential to know an accurate humidity level can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temp, helping you pay less on utility expenses.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top ways to bring in additional fresh air into your residence all year. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly eliminate stuffy indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for cold climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is good for humid areas, because it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both systems, so check with our Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. ventilation experts about what’s best for your Northglenn residence.
If musty or persistent odors are trouble in your residence, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an added level of filtration, which can also help with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you select the right product for your house. Contact us at 303-452-4146 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your existing equipment and listen to your needs prior to giving our suggestions on the right possibilities to boost ventilation in your home.