Modern houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your utility expenses small, it’s not so great for getting adequate fresh air inside.
Newer residences are securely sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older homes can. Consequently, your home might begin to smell musty, feel too humid or experience issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they may experience growing issues.
Luckily, it’s not complicated to improve the ventilation in your house in Wisconsin Rapids. Most of the options that we’ll review in a minute are simple and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest way to get fresh air into your house during moderate temps. But it’s essential to note this usually isn’t a year-round option and can create problems if someone in your home has seasonal allergies. If this applies to you, 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’ll also want to avoid opening them during dry, windy weather, because the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Using these fans draws out stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also reasonable 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’re interested in doing this, the CEE recommends looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that provides quiet, constant operation. These fans often are equipped with a sensor that will switch 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 know that an exhaust fan can adversely impact your house’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Home’s Humidity Balanced
The right humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right amount of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can boost your house’s indoor air quality and keep your residence pleasant at a more energy-efficient temp.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you can suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to split. On the other hand, humidity that’s too elevated can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The best method to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We offer humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. There’s no need to transport an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you go.
It’s also critical to be aware the correct humidity level can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temp, helping you save more on energy expenses.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top ways to get added fresh air into your residence throughout the year. There are two different types—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly remove stale indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is good for cold climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is good for warm climates, since it pulls out warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so check with our Rapids Sheet Metal Works Inc ventilation professionals about what’s best for your Wisconsin Rapids house.
If stuffy or lingering odors are trouble in your home, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an additional level of filtration, which can also provide support with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you choose the ideal product for your residence. Contact us at 715-301-0256 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your existing equipment and find out about your needs prior to providing our advice on the ideal solutions to improve ventilation in your house.