New homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your energy bills small, it’s bad for introducing adequate fresh air inside.
Recently constructed homes are securely sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older homes do. Consequently, your home can begin to smell musty, feel too humid or have troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, they might experience growing issues.
Thankfully, it’s not hard to improve the ventilation in your residence in Mount Pleasant. Many of the solutions that we’ll review soon are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest approach to get fresh air into your residence during mild temps. But it’s crucial to know this frequently isn’t a year-round option and can create problems if you have a family member with 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 also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy days, because the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Operate Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans draws out stale air, excess moisture, odors and other indoor pollutants. They’re also economical to use. 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’re interested in doing this, the CEE advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly silent, constant operation. These fans typically are equipped with a sensor that will switch 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 undesirably affect your house’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity Even
The right humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right concentration of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can boost your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your household pleasant at a more energy-efficient temp.
If the humidity is too low, you might suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to split. On the flip side, humidity that’s too elevated can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The wisest method to keep humidity regulated is with a whole-home solution. We offer humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. You don’t need to lug an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you move.
It’s also essential to be aware the right humidity level can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you save more on energy costs.
4. Get a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the smartest methods to introduce additional fresh air into your house all year. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continuously remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for cool climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is good for hot locations, as it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both pieces of equipment, so check with our Olde Towne Heating & Air ventilation experts about what’s a good fit for your Mount Pleasant home.
If stale or ongoing odors are trouble in your house, you can also install a whole-house air purification system. These systems offer an added level of filtration, which can also help with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you select the right option for your house. Contact us at 843-485-0967 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your current equipment and learn about your needs prior to providing our suggestions on the right possibilities to improve ventilation in your residence.