New homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your energy costs low, it’s not so good for bringing enough fresh air inside.
Recently constructed homes are firmly sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older houses can. Consequently, your residence can appear to smell stale, feel too humid or have problems with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they might report worsening problems.
Thankfully, it’s not difficult to enhance the ventilation in your residence in McHenry. The majority of of the answers that we’ll talk about shortly are simple and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest approach to get fresh air into your home during pleasant temperatures. But it’s important to be aware this frequently isn’t a year-round option and can lead to problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If so, you shouldn’t open windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the greatest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy days, since the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans draws out stale air, excess moisture, odors and other things you don’t want in your house. They’re also economical to operate. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 yearly 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, uninterrupted operation. These fans usually come with a sensor that will trigger then to run automatically when humidity is too elevated, so you won’t have to make a note to turn it on or off.
However, it’s essential to be aware that an exhaust fan can negatively affect your residence’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Home’s Humidity in Check
The right humidity level for your house is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right amount of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can enhance your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your residence comfy at a more energy-efficient temp.
If there isn’t enough humidity, you may have dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to fracture. In contrast, humidity that’s too great can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and irritate allergies or asthma.
The wisest method to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. There’s no need to carry an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you walk.
It’s also essential to be aware an accurate humidity amount can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient temp, helping you spend less on heating and cooling expenses.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the smartest methods to bring in more fresh air into your house all year. There are two different types—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 good for cool climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is excellent for hot locations, because it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so check with our Jett's Heating & Air Inc. ventilation experts about what’s ideal for your McHenry home.
If musty or ongoing odors are a problem in your residence, you can also install a whole-house air purification system. These systems offer an extra level of filtration, which can also provide support with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you find the ideal product for your house. Contact us at 815-410-1128 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your current equipment and find out about your needs in advance of offering our advice on the right solutions to increase ventilation in your home.