Today’s residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your energy bills low, it’s not so good for introducing enough fresh air inside.
Recently built residences are firmly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older houses do. As a result, your residence might start to smell stuffy, feel too humid or run into troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, they may experience growing symptoms.
Fortunately, it’s not hard to improve the ventilation in your residence in West Valley City. Many of the answers that we’ll review in a minute are simple and inexpensive.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest way to get fresh air into your residence during moderate temps. But it’s important to note this frequently isn’t a year-round option and can cause problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If so, you don’t want to open windows during the early morning. That’s when the pollen counts are the highest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy weather, since 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 economical to run. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 each year in electricity if you were to run it 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you’re interested in doing this, the CEE suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that provides nearly silent, uninterrupted operation. These fans often come with a sensor that will switch them on automatically when there’s too much humidity, so you won’t have to remember to turn it on or off.
However, it’s crucial to note that an exhaust fan can adversely affect your residence’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 house is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal percentage of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can enhance your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your home comfy at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If the humidity is too low, you might experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to fracture. On the other hand, humidity that’s too high can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The best approach to keep humidity regulated is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. You don’t need to transport an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you walk.
It’s also crucial to realize the right humidity amount can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temp, helping you spend less on utility expenses.
4. Get a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best approaches to bring in additional fresh air into your house throughout the year. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously remove stale indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is good for chilly climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is fantastic for humid climates, as it removes warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both units, so ask our Select Comfort Systems Heating & Air Conditioning ventilation experts about what’s a good fit for your West Valley City house.
If musty or persistent odors are an issue in your residence, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems deliver an extra level of filtration, which can also assist with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation experts are here to help you choose the best product for your home. Contact us at 801-305-4777 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your present equipment and listen to your needs in advance of providing our advice on the right possibilities to improve ventilation in your residence.