Today’s residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your utility bills small, it’s not so good for getting enough fresh air inside.
Recently constructed houses are firmly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older houses do. As a result, your house could start to smell stale, feel too humid or run into problems with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they might complain of worsening issues.
Fortunately, it’s not complicated to enhance the ventilation in your house in Franklin Lakes. Many of the options that we’ll talk about shortly are uncomplicated and inexpensive.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest approach to get fresh air into your residence during moderate weather. But it’s essential to be aware this frequently isn’t a year-round option and can create problems if someone in your home 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 worst, according to Mayo Clinic. You also don’t want to open them during dry, windy conditions, because the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Use 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 economical to use. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 yearly in electricity if you were to keep it on 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you want to do this, the CEE suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers quiet, uninterrupted operation. These fans frequently are equipped with a sensor that will turn them on automatically when humidity is too elevated, so you won’t have to make a note to turn it on or off.
However, it’s crucial to note that an exhaust fan can undesirably influence your home’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity Balanced
The best humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right concentration of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can enhance your house’s indoor air quality and keep your residence comfy at a more energy-efficient setting.
If humidity isn’t high enough, 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 high can make air seem stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The wisest approach to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. You won’t have to carry an inefficient portable system around your home, spilling water as you walk.
It’s also crucial to know the right humidity amount can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient setting, helping you pay less on utility costs.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top approaches to get added fresh air into your house year-round. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually remove stuffy indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is ideal for cool climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is fantastic for hot climates, since it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so check with our Total Comfort ventilation pros about what’s best for your Franklin Lakes house.
If stale or ongoing odors are a problem in your home, you can also install a whole-house air purification system. These systems deliver an added level of filtration, which can also help with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you find the best product for your residence. Contact us at 201-268-5663 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your present equipment and listen to your needs in advance of offering our suggestions on the best options to increase ventilation in your house.