New houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your utility costs down, it’s not so good for bringing ample fresh air inside.
Recently constructed homes are securely sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older homes can. Subsequently, your residence may start to smell musty, feel too humid or have issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they could experience growing issues.
Thankfully, it’s not hard to enhance the ventilation in your home in Lodi. The majority of of the answers that we’ll discuss soon are simple and inexpensive.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest approach to get fresh air into your house during mild temperatures. But it’s important to know this usually isn’t a year-round solution and can create problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If this applies to you, you shouldn’t 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 weather, as the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Operate 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 inexpensive to operate. 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’re looking into this, the CEE recommends looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly noiseless, uninterrupted operation. These fans often are equipped with a sensor that will turn them on automatically when humidity is too elevated, so you won’t have to remember to turn it on or off.
However, it’s essential to note that an exhaust fan can adversely affect your home’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 residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal percentage of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can improve your home’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones pleasant at a more energy-efficient temp.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you could experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to fracture. On the flip side, humidity that’s too great can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The smartest approach to keep humidity regulated is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. You won’t have to carry an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you go.
It’s also crucial to know the correct humidity concentration can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temp, helping you save more on energy expenses.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top approaches to bring in more fresh air into your home all year. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly eliminate stuffy 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 great for hot locations, as it pulls out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both systems, so check with our Tokay Heating and Air Conditioning ventilation experts about what’s a good fit for your Lodi home.
If musty or ongoing odors are a problem in your residence, you can also install a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an additional level of filtration, which can also assist with reducing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you select the ideal option for your home. Contact us at 209-257-3156 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your current equipment and listen to your needs prior to providing our suggestions on the right options to improve ventilation in your house.