Modern homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your energy bills small, it’s not so good for bringing adequate fresh air inside.
Newer homes are firmly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older homes do. Because of this, your house could appear to smell stuffy, feel too humid or have troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they may report worsening symptoms.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to enhance the ventilation in your house in Payson. Most of the answers that we’ll talk about shortly are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your residence during moderate weather. But it’s crucial to be aware this frequently isn’t a year-round option and can lead to problems if someone in your home has seasonal allergies. If this is the case, you’ll want to avoid opening 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. Turn on Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans draws out stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other things you don’t want in your house. They’re also inexpensive to operate. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 yearly in electricity if you were to run it 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 offers nearly noiseless, constant operation. These fans typically include a sensor that will turn them on automatically when humidity is too elevated, so you won’t have to remember to turn it on or off.
However, it’s crucial to note that an exhaust fan can undesirably affect your home’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity in Check
The best humidity level for your house is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct concentration of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can enhance your home’s indoor air quality and keep your home comfortable at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If the humidity is too low, you may have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact 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 result in mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The smartest method to keep humidity regulated is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. There’s no need to lug an inefficient portable system around your home, spilling water as you move.
It’s also critical to realize an accurate humidity level can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient setting, helping you pay less on heating and cooling expenses.
4. Get a Ventilation System
Adding a mechanical ventilation system is one of the wisest approaches to bring in additional fresh air into your house all year. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously get rid of musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for cold climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is great for humid areas, as it pulls out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both units, so check with our North Mechanical Heating and Cooling ventilation pros about what’s a good match for your Payson house.
If stuffy or ongoing odors are an issue in your residence, you can also buy a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an additional level of filtration, which can also assist with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you choose the best option for your residence. Contact us at 928-263-8570 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your present equipment and find out about your needs prior to delivering our advice on the right possibilities to increase ventilation in your home.