New homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your utility costs down, it’s bad for getting enough fresh air inside.
Recently constructed houses are securely sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older homes do. Because of this, your house could begin to smell stuffy, feel too humid or run into issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they may experience growing symptoms.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to improve the ventilation in your house in Mechanicsburg. Many of the options that we’ll review soon are easy and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest approach to get fresh air into your residence during moderate temps. But it’s important to know this typically isn’t a year-round option and can create problems if someone in your household 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’ll also want to avoid opening them during dry, windy conditions, as the weather can worsen 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 operate. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 yearly in electricity if you were to keep it on 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 provides nearly noiseless, constant operation. These fans usually are equipped with a sensor that will trigger then to run automatically when humidity is too high, so you won’t have to make a note to turn it on or off.
However, it’s crucial to know that an exhaust fan can adversely influence your home’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Home’s Humidity Balanced
The right humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal percentage of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can enhance your house’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones comfy at a more energy-efficient temp.
If there isn’t enough humidity, you might have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to fracture. In contrast, humidity that’s too elevated can make air seem stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and irritate allergies or asthma.
The best way to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We offer humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. You don’t need to transport an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you move.
It’s also important to know the right humidity amount can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temp, helping you save more on heating and cooling expenses.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best methods to get additional fresh air into your house throughout the year. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously get rid of stale 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 lets out. ERV is great for hot locations, because it pulls out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both units, so ask our H & H Service Company ventilation experts about what’s a good fit for your Mechanicsburg house.
If stuffy or lingering odors are a problem in your home, you can also install a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an additional level of filtration, which can also help with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you find the ideal product for your home. Contact us at 717-220-4502 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your current equipment and find out about your needs before providing our advice on the right options to enhance ventilation in your residence.