Today’s homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your heating and cooling expenses down, it’s not so good for getting enough fresh air inside.
Recently built homes are securely sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older homes can. Because of this, your house could appear to smell stuffy, feel too humid or run into problems with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they might experience increasing issues.
Fortunately, it’s not complicated to increase the ventilation in your home in Omaha. The majority of of the solutions that we’ll discuss in a minute are simple and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest method to get fresh air into your residence during moderate temps. But it’s crucial to note this typically isn’t a year-round option and can cause problems if you have a family member with 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 also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy weather, as the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Run Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Using these fans gets rid of stale air, extra moisture, odors and other things you don’t want in your house. They’re also reasonable 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 interested in doing this, the CEE advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly silent, continuous operation. These fans frequently come 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 know that an exhaust fan can undesirably impact your home’s temperature, since it’s getting rid of air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Home’s Humidity Balanced
The ideal humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct concentration of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can boost your house’s indoor air quality and keep your family comfortable at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If the humidity is too low, you may suffer from dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also influence wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to fracture. In contrast, humidity that’s too great can make air seem stale or stuffy. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth and aggravate allergies or asthma.
The best approach to keep humidity under control 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 carry an inefficient portable system around your home, spilling water as you go.
It’s also essential to realize the correct humidity amount can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient setting, helping you pay less on heating and cooling bills.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Getting a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best approaches to bring in additional fresh air into your home throughout the year. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly remove musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is good for cool climates, since it retains the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is great for warm climates, because it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both systems, so ask our Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning ventilation experts about what’s a good fit for your Omaha home.
If stuffy or ongoing odors are trouble in your residence, you can also buy a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an extra level of filtration, which can also assist with decreasing pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you choose the right option for your home. Contact us at 402-509-5940 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your existing equipment and find out about your needs prior to delivering our advice on the best possibilities to improve ventilation in your house.