Today’s houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for keeping your energy expenses low, it’s not so good for bringing ample fresh air inside.
Recently built homes are securely sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older houses do. Because of this, your home might start to smell stuffy, feel too humid or run into troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they could experience worsening issues.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to enhance the ventilation in your residence in Wharton. Most of the answers that we’ll talk about in a minute are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your house during mild temperatures. But it’s crucial to know this frequently isn’t a year-round possibility and can create problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If this is the case, you don’t want to open windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the worst, according to Mayo Clinic. You’ll also want to avoid opening them during dry, windy weather, because the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Using these fans gets rid of stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also inexpensive to operate. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 annually 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 frequently include 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 important to be aware that an exhaust fan can undesirably impact your home’s temperature, since it’s getting rid of air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity in Check
The ideal 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 boost your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your household comfortable at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you might experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to splinter. On the other hand, humidity that’s too high can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The wisest way to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. You won’t have to carry an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you move.
It’s also essential to know an accurate humidity level can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you spend less on heating and cooling expenses.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the smartest approaches to introduce more fresh air into your house throughout the year. There are two different types—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is ideal for cool climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is great for warm areas, as it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so ask our Faust Air Conditioning and Heating ventilation pros about what’s ideal for your Wharton house.
If musty or persistent odors are an issue in your residence, you can also install a whole-house air purification system. These systems offer an additional level of filtration, which can also assist with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you find the right option for your house. Contact us at 979-323-6130 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your present equipment and find out about your needs before giving our suggestions on the right solutions to enhance ventilation in your home.