Today’s homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your utility costs small, it’s not so great for introducing ample fresh air inside.
Recently built homes are tightly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older homes do. Consequently, your house may start to smell stale, feel too humid or experience troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they might complain of growing issues.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to improve the ventilation in your home in Chelan and Wenatchee. Most of the options that we’ll discuss soon are easy and inexpensive.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your residence during mild temps. But it’s crucial to be aware this usually isn’t a year-round possibility and can cause problems if someone in your household has seasonal allergies. If so, you’ll want to avoid opening 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 days, because the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Use Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans eliminates stale air, extra moisture, odors and other things you don’t want in your house. They’re also economical to run. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 annually in electricity if you were to run it 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you want to do this, the CEE advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that provides nearly silent, constant operation. These fans often include a sensor that will turn them on automatically when there’s too much humidity, so you won’t have to think about turning it on or off.
However, it’s important to be aware that an exhaust fan can negatively impact your home’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity in Check
The best humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal amount of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can improve your house’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones pleasant at a more energy-efficient temp.
If the humidity is too low, you might experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to split. On the other hand, humidity that’s too elevated can make air seem stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The wisest approach to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We offer 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 move.
It’s also important to be aware an accurate humidity level can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you spend less on utility costs.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the smartest ways to get additional fresh air into your house year-round. There are two different types—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for chilly climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is excellent for warm locations, as it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both units, so check with our Lakeside Heating & Air ventilation pros about what’s a good fit for your Chelan and Wenatchee house.
If stuffy or persistent odors are trouble in your house, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems deliver an extra level of filtration, which can also provide support with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you find the ideal option for your home. Contact us at 509-284-4265 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your present equipment and listen to your needs before delivering our recommendations on the right options to improve ventilation in your house.