Modern homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your energy bills low, it’s not so good for bringing adequate fresh air inside.
Recently built homes are tightly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older houses are able to. Subsequently, your house can start to smell stuffy, feel too humid or run into troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they could report growing symptoms.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to enhance the ventilation in your residence in Moline. 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 easiest method to get fresh air into your residence during moderate temperatures. But it’s crucial to know this typically isn’t a year-round possibility and can lead to problems if someone in your home has seasonal allergies. If so, you shouldn’t open 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 conditions, because the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Turn on Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans gets rid of stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also inexpensive to use. 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 interested in doing this, the CEE suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers nearly noiseless, continuous operation. These fans usually are equipped with 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 be aware that an exhaust fan can undesirably influence your home’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity in Check
The ideal humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct percentage of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can improve your home’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones comfortable at a more energy-efficient temp.
If the humidity is too low, you may have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to split. In contrast, humidity that’s too high can make air feel 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 sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. You won’t have to carry an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you walk.
It’s also crucial to be aware the correct humidity concentration can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temp, helping you spend less on heating and cooling costs.
4. Get a Ventilation System
Adding a mechanical ventilation system is one of the wisest ways to introduce more fresh air into your home throughout the year. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for cold climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is fantastic for hot climates, as it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both units, so ask our J.L. Brady Company LLC ventilation professionals about what’s a good match for your Moline home.
If musty or lingering odors are an issue in your home, you can also purchase a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an additional level of filtration, which can also assist with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you select the right product for your residence. Contact us at 309-517-7511 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your present equipment and listen to your needs prior to delivering our suggestions on the ideal possibilities to increase ventilation in your home.