New homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for keeping your utility expenses down, it’s bad for introducing ample fresh air inside.
Recently built residences are securely sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older residences do. Consequently, your home can start to smell stale, feel too humid or run into troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they might report growing symptoms.
Luckily, it’s not difficult to increase the ventilation in your house in Delray Beach. Many of the solutions that we’ll go over shortly are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest way to get fresh air into your house during mild temperatures. But it’s essential to note this frequently isn’t a year-round solution and can lead to problems if you have a family member with seasonal allergies. If this is the case, 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 conditions, as the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Use Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Using these fans eliminates stale air, excess 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 annually in electricity if you were to keep it on 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you’re looking into this, the CEE advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly silent, continuous operation. These fans typically are equipped with a sensor that will turn them on automatically when there’s too much humidity, so you won’t have to think about turning it on or off.
However, it’s essential to know that an exhaust fan can undesirably influence your house’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity in Check
The best humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct concentration of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can enhance your home’s indoor air quality and keep your home pleasant 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 house, causing them to fracture. On the flip side, humidity that’s too great can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The wisest approach to keep humidity in check is with a whole-home solution. We offer humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. You won’t have to carry an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you walk.
It’s also essential to note the correct humidity level can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temp, helping you spend less on energy expenses.
4. Install a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best methods to bring in additional fresh air into your residence year-round. There are two different types—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually get rid of musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is good for chilly climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is great for hot climates, as it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both units, so talk with our Kilbourne Heating & AC ventilation pros about what’s a good fit for your Delray Beach house.
If stuffy or persistent odors are an issue in your home, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an additional 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 solution for your house. Contact us at 561-287-7071 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your existing equipment and find out about your needs before offering our recommendations on the ideal options to improve ventilation in your house.