Modern houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your utility costs down, it’s bad for bringing enough fresh air inside.
Recently built homes are firmly sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. Because of this, your home might begin to smell stuffy, feel too humid or experience issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they could report increasing issues.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to enhance the ventilation in your residence in Temple/Belton. Many of the solutions that we’ll talk about soon are easy and inexpensive.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest method to get fresh air into your house during pleasant weather. But it’s crucial to know this frequently isn’t a year-round solution and can create 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 greatest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy weather, as the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Use Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Using these fans gets rid of stale air, extra moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also inexpensive 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 advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers nearly silent, constant 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 know that an exhaust fan can adversely impact your house’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Home’s Humidity Balanced
The ideal humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right percentage of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can improve your home’s indoor air quality and keep your residence 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 influence wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to crack. On the other hand, humidity that’s too great can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The wisest way to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. There’s no need to transport an inefficient portable system around your home, spilling water as you go.
It’s also crucial to realize the right humidity level can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient setting, helping you save more on utility bills.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Adding a mechanical ventilation system is one of the smartest approaches to bring in additional fresh air into your residence all year. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly get rid of stuffy indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for chilly climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is fantastic for hot areas, since it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so ask our Bell Air Conditioning Inc ventilation experts about what’s a good match for your Temple/Belton residence.
If musty or persistent odors are a problem in your home, you can also buy a whole-house air purification system. These systems deliver an extra level of filtration, which can also help with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you choose the ideal option for your home. Contact us at 254-307-9572 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your present equipment and learn about your needs in advance of offering our advice on the best solutions to enhance ventilation in your home.