Today’s homes are more energy efficient than ever. While this is fantastic for keeping your energy expenses down, it’s not so good for getting adequate fresh air inside.
Recently built residences are tightly sealed, which shows they don’t “breathe” like older houses can. Because of this, your residence might start to smell stuffy, feel too humid or experience troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your household, they might complain of growing symptoms.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to enhance the ventilation in your home in Phoenix. Most of the options that we’ll talk about soon are uncomplicated and inexpensive.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the easiest way to get fresh air into your house during pleasant weather. But it’s essential to be aware this frequently isn’t a year-round possibility and can cause problems if someone in your home 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 highest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy weather, since the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Operate Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans draws out 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’re looking into this, the CEE recommends looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly silent, constant operation. These fans usually are equipped with a sensor that will switch them on automatically when humidity is too elevated, so you won’t have to make a note to turn it on or off.
However, it’s essential to be aware 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 Residence’s Humidity Regulated
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 residence’s indoor air quality and keep your residence pleasant at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you may experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also impact wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to crack. On the other hand, humidity that’s too elevated can make air seem stale or stuffy. It can also contribute to mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The wisest approach to keep humidity regulated is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your heating and cooling system. You don’t need to lug an inefficient portable system across your house, spilling water as you go.
It’s also important to realize an accurate humidity amount can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you save more on heating and cooling expenses.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top approaches to bring in added fresh air into your residence all year. There are two different kinds—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly eliminate stale indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is great for chilly climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it emits. ERV is fantastic for warm areas, since it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some locations can benefit from both systems, so check with our Integrity AC & Heating LLC ventilation experts about what’s ideal for your Phoenix home.
If musty or lingering odors are an issue in your residence, you can also buy a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an added level of filtration, which can also provide support with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation pros are here to help you choose the best option for your residence. Contact us at 602-971-0567 now for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll visually inspect your existing equipment and find out about your needs in advance of giving our advice on the ideal options to boost ventilation in your house.