New houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for keeping your energy bills small, it’s not so good for introducing adequate fresh air inside.
Recently built houses are securely sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older houses can. Consequently, your home can start to smell stale, feel too humid or have issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, they may experience growing problems.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to increase the ventilation in your residence in Murrieta. The majority of of the answers that we’ll review in a minute are simple and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest method to get fresh air into your home during moderate temperatures. But it’s essential to be aware this frequently isn’t a year-round solution and can lead to problems if someone in your household has seasonal allergies. If this is the case, 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 conditions, because the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Turn on Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans eliminates stale air, extra moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also economical to run. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 yearly in electricity if you were to operate it 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you’re looking into this, the CEE advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers quiet, constant operation. These fans frequently are equipped with a sensor that will turn them on automatically when humidity is too high, 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 negatively impact your residence’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity Regulated
The ideal humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right percentage of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can boost your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones comfy at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If the humidity is too low, you may experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to splinter. On the other hand, humidity that’s too great can make air seem stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The smartest way to keep humidity regulated is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. There’s no need to carry an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you go.
It’s also critical to note an accurate humidity level can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient setting, helping you pay less on heating and cooling expenses.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the wisest ways to get additional fresh air into your home throughout the year. There are two different types—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly eliminate stale indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for cool climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is great for hot climates, since it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both units, so check with our Cool Air Solutions ventilation experts about what’s a good fit for your Murrieta house.
If stale or persistent odors are an issue in your house, you can also install a whole-house air purification system. These systems deliver an extra level of filtration, which can also provide support with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you select the right solution for your home. Contact us at 951-299-9853 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your existing equipment and find out about your needs prior to delivering our advice on the right solutions to improve ventilation in your home.