New residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your heating and cooling expenses small, it’s not so great for bringing adequate fresh air inside.
Recently constructed houses are tightly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older homes can. Consequently, your house can appear to smell stale, feel too humid or have issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they may report growing problems.
Luckily, it’s not complicated to enhance the ventilation in your residence in Sandpoint. The majority of of the solutions that we’ll discuss shortly are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest method to get fresh air into your house during moderate weather. But it’s essential to know this frequently isn’t a year-round solution 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 also don’t want to open them during dry, windy weather, as the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Operate Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans gets rid of stale air, extra moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also reasonable to use. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 annually 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, uninterrupted operation. These fans usually include a sensor that will trigger then to run automatically when humidity is too elevated, so you won’t have to make a note to turn it on or off.
However, it’s important to know that an exhaust fan can adversely impact your residence’s temperature, since it’s getting rid of air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity Balanced
The best humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct amount of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can boost your home’s indoor air quality and keep your home comfy at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you can have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to splinter. In contrast, humidity that’s too great can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth and irritate allergies or asthma.
The wisest way to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We offer humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. You won’t have to transport an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you move.
It’s also essential to note the right humidity concentration can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient setting, helping you spend less on utility expenses.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best approaches to get more fresh air into your house throughout the year. There are two different kinds—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 good for cold climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is great for hot locations, as it pulls out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so ask our Age Heating & Cooling ventilation experts about what’s a good fit for your Sandpoint residence.
If stuffy or persistent odors are a problem in your home, you can also install a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an extra level of filtration, which can also assist with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you select the right solution for your house. Contact us at 208-578-4258 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your existing equipment and listen to your needs prior to giving our suggestions on the best possibilities to enhance ventilation in your house.