Today’s residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is excellent for keeping your energy costs down, it’s not so good for introducing enough fresh air inside.
Recently constructed homes are tightly sealed, which indicates they don’t “breathe” like older residences are able to. Because of this, your residence can start to smell stuffy, feel too humid or run into troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they could report growing symptoms.
Thankfully, it’s not complicated to improve the ventilation in your home in Port St. Lucie. The majority of of the options that we’ll discuss soon are uncomplicated and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest approach to get fresh air into your house during pleasant temperatures. But it’s essential to be aware this usually isn’t a year-round solution and can cause problems if someone in your home has seasonal allergies. If this is the case, you shouldn’t 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, as the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Operate Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans eliminates stale air, excess moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also reasonable to use. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 annually in electricity if you were to operate it 24/7, according to the Center for Energy and the Environment (CEE).
If you’re looking into this, the CEE suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that offers nearly noiseless, constant operation. These fans usually are equipped with a sensor that will trigger then to run automatically when there’s too much humidity, so you won’t have to remember to turn it on or off.
However, it’s crucial to note that an exhaust fan can undesirably impact your home’s temperature, since it’s exhausting air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your House’s Humidity Even
The ideal humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal amount of humidity won’t increase ventilation, it can improve your house’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones comfortable at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If there isn’t enough humidity, 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 splinter. On the other hand, humidity that’s too elevated can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also result in mold and mildew growth and worsen allergies or asthma.
The best method to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We have humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. You don’t need to carry an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you move.
It’s also crucial to know the right humidity amount can also make air more pleasant at an energy-efficient temp, helping you pay less on heating and cooling bills.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top methods to bring in additional fresh air into your residence year-round. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems continually eliminate musty indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is ideal for cool climates, since it keeps the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is great for hot locations, as it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both units, so ask our Custom Air Systems Inc ventilation pros about what’s a good match for your Port St. Lucie home.
If stale 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 provide support with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you select the right option for your home. Contact us at 772-247-2283 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your existing equipment and find out about your needs before offering our recommendations on the right solutions to improve ventilation in your residence.