Today’s houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your utility costs small, it’s not so great for getting enough fresh air inside.
Recently constructed homes are tightly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. Because of this, your home might appear to smell stuffy, feel too humid or experience troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they may complain of worsening issues.
Fortunately, it’s not hard to improve the ventilation in your house in Rock Hill. The majority of of the answers that we’ll talk about soon are easy and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest method to get fresh air into your residence during moderate temperatures. But it’s essential to be aware this typically isn’t a year-round possibility and can lead to problems if you have a family member with 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 highest, according to Mayo Clinic. You’ll also want to avoid opening them during dry, windy days, because the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Turn on Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans gets rid of stale air, extra moisture, odors and other things you don’t want in your house. They’re also economical to run. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 annually 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 offers nearly noiseless, constant operation. These fans usually include a sensor that will turn them on automatically when humidity is too high, so you won’t have to remember to turn it on or off.
However, it’s important to know that an exhaust fan can negatively influence your house’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity Balanced
The ideal humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal amount of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can boost your house’s indoor air quality and keep your home pleasant at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If the humidity is too low, you could 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 appear stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The best approach to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. You don’t need to carry an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you walk.
It’s also important to realize the right humidity amount can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient setting, helping you spend less on energy bills.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the smartest methods to get more fresh air into your residence throughout the year. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is ideal for cold climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is good for warm climates, because it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both systems, so talk with our US Air Heating and Cooling ventilation experts about what’s best for your Rock Hill home.
If stale or ongoing odors are trouble in your home, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems offer an additional level of filtration, which can also provide support with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you choose the ideal product for your residence. Contact us at 803-220-0761 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your current equipment and listen to your needs prior to offering our suggestions on the ideal solutions to boost ventilation in your home.