New houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your heating and cooling bills low, it’s not so great for bringing enough fresh air inside.
Recently built homes are tightly sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older houses do. Because of this, your residence may appear to smell musty, feel too humid or have issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they may complain of increasing issues.
Luckily, it’s not hard to enhance the ventilation in your house in West Columbia. The majority of of the solutions that we’ll review soon are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your residence during pleasant temperatures. But it’s essential to note this usually isn’t a year-round possibility 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 highest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy weather, since the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans gets rid of stale air, extra moisture, odors and other indoor pollutants. They’re also reasonable to run. 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 want to do this, the CEE advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly silent, constant operation. These fans often include a sensor that will switch them on 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 be aware that an exhaust fan can undesirably affect your residence’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity in Check
The best humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right amount of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can improve your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your household 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 residence, causing them to fracture. On the other hand, humidity that’s too high can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The best way to keep humidity regulated is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. You won’t have to lug an inefficient portable system around your home, spilling water as you move.
It’s also critical to realize an accurate humidity concentration can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you pay less on utility bills.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Adding a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best methods to introduce more fresh air into your home year-round. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously get rid of stuffy indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is good for cold climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is good for hot climates, since it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both systems, so talk with our Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. ventilation experts about what’s a good match for your West Columbia home.
If musty or lingering odors are trouble in your residence, you can also install a whole-house air purification system. These systems deliver an extra level of filtration, which can also help with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you select the right option for your house. Contact us at 803-265-4208 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your present equipment and listen to your needs before providing our recommendations on the best possibilities to boost ventilation in your home.