Today’s houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your utility expenses low, it’s not so good for introducing ample fresh air inside.
Recently constructed homes are tightly sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. Because of this, your home can start to smell stale, feel too humid or experience troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, they may complain of worsening issues.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to improve the ventilation in your home in Menomonie and western Wisconsin. The majority of of the solutions that we’ll go over in a minute are easy and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest method to get fresh air into your house during pleasant temperatures. But it’s important to be aware this typically isn’t a year-round solution and can create problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If this is the case, you’ll want to avoid opening windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the greatest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy days, as the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans gets rid of stale air, excess moisture, odors and other indoor pollutants. They’re also inexpensive to run. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 each year in electricity if you were to operate it 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you want to do this, the CEE recommends looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that provides quiet, uninterrupted operation. These fans often include a sensor that will trigger then to run automatically when humidity is too high, so you won’t have to make a note to turn it on or off.
However, it’s essential to know 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 Home’s Humidity Even
The ideal humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal amount of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can boost your house’s indoor air quality and keep your residence comfy at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If the humidity is too low, you might suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to crack. On the other hand, 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 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. You don’t need to lug an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you go.
It’s also important to note the correct humidity level can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient setting, helping you spend less on utility bills.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top methods to get more fresh air into your house year-round. 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 great for cold climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is excellent for hot climates, because it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so talk with our Halverson Brothers Inc ventilation experts about what’s best for your Menomonie and western Wisconsin home.
If stuffy or lingering odors are trouble in your residence, you can also buy a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an added level of filtration, which can also help with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you choose the right product for your residence. Contact us at 715-352-4052 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your present equipment and learn about your needs in advance of giving our suggestions on the ideal possibilities to enhance ventilation in your house.