Modern houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for keeping your heating and cooling costs down, it’s bad for getting enough fresh air inside.
Recently constructed homes are firmly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older homes do. Because of this, your house might start to smell musty, feel too humid or run into problems with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they might experience growing symptoms.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to enhance the ventilation in your home in Tucson. Many of the options that we’ll review soon are simple and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest way to get fresh air into your house during pleasant temps. But it’s crucial to note this frequently isn’t a year-round solution and can create problems if someone in your household has seasonal allergies. If this applies to you, you don’t want to open 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 days, because the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Turn on Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans eliminates stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other indoor pollutants. They’re also reasonable to run. 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 want to do this, the CEE recommends looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that provides nearly noiseless, continuous operation. These fans usually come with a sensor that will switch them on automatically when humidity is too high, so you won’t have to make a note to turn it on or off.
However, it’s essential to know that an exhaust fan can negatively 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 best humidity level for your house is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the right percentage of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can improve your home’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones comfy at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If there isn’t enough humidity, you might suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact wood flooring and furnishings in your residence, causing them to splinter. On the other hand, humidity that’s too elevated can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and irritate allergies or asthma.
The wisest approach to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. There’s no need to lug an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you go.
It’s also critical to note the correct humidity level can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you pay less on utility bills.
4. Get a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best methods to get additional fresh air into your house all year. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually eliminate stuffy indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is ideal for chilly climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is good for warm locations, as it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some climates can benefit from both systems, so ask our A&M Heating & Cooling LLC ventilation pros about what’s a good fit for your Tucson residence.
If musty or persistent odors are an issue in your home, you can also purchase a whole-house air purification system. These systems deliver an extra level of filtration, which can also assist with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you select the right product for your residence. Contact us at 520-200-1048 today for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your current equipment and listen to your needs prior to delivering our suggestions on the right possibilities to enhance ventilation in your residence.