New houses are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your utility costs low, it’s bad for introducing enough fresh air inside.
Recently built houses are securely sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older houses are able to. Because of this, your house can start to smell stale, feel too humid or run into issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, they may experience increasing problems.
Thankfully, it’s not hard to enhance the ventilation in your residence in Odessa. Most of the solutions that we’ll discuss in a minute are uncomplicated and economical.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest method to get fresh air into your house during mild weather. But it’s essential to note this frequently isn’t a year-round option and can create problems if someone in your household has 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 don’t want to open them during dry, windy weather, since the weather can irritate allergies.
2. Turn on Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Using these fans gets rid of stale air, excessive moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also reasonable to operate. 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 want to do this, the CEE recommends looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers quiet, constant 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 think about turning it on or off.
However, it’s important to note that an exhaust fan can negatively impact your home’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 home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal concentration of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can enhance your home’s indoor air quality and keep your household comfy at a more energy-efficient setting.
If the humidity is too low, you can suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to crack. On the other hand, humidity that’s too high can make air appear stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The best method to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system. You don’t need to carry an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you move.
It’s also critical to realize the correct humidity level can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you save more on energy expenses.
4. Get a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best ways to introduce added 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 cold climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is great for warm climates, since it pulls out warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both units, so ask our Redhawk Heating & Air Conditioning ventilation professionals about what’s ideal for your Odessa residence.
If musty or lingering odors are a problem in your residence, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems offer an added level of filtration, which can also help with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your house.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you select the ideal option for your home. Contact us at 432-237-0168 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your current equipment and listen to your needs before giving our recommendations on the right solutions to improve ventilation in your home.