New houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your energy expenses small, it’s bad for bringing enough fresh air inside.
Recently built houses are tightly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older homes are able to. Because of this, your residence may begin to smell stuffy, 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 improve the ventilation in your house in Newton. Many of the solutions that we’ll talk about in a minute are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest method to get fresh air into your residence during pleasant weather. But it’s crucial 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 so, 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 weather, as the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans draws out stale air, excess moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also reasonable to run. 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 suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers nearly noiseless, continuous operation. These fans typically include a sensor that will trigger then to run automatically when there’s too much humidity, so you won’t have to remember to turn it on or off.
However, it’s important to note that an exhaust fan can undesirably impact your home’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity in Check
The right humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right amount of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can boost your home’s indoor air quality and keep your family comfortable at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you can suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to crack. In contrast, humidity that’s too high can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The smartest method to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. There’s no need to carry an inefficient portable system around your home, spilling water as you go.
It’s also crucial to realize the correct humidity concentration can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temp, helping you save more on heating and cooling costs.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the smartest approaches to get added fresh air into your house all year. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously eliminate stuffy 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 humid climates, as it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so ask our Brookwood Inc ventilation professionals about what’s a good match for your Newton home.
If musty or ongoing odors are an issue in your home, you can also buy a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an added level of filtration, which can also assist with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you find the right solution for your house. Contact us at 641-316-9803 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your existing equipment and learn about your needs prior to giving our advice on the best solutions to boost ventilation in your residence.