Today’s residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your energy costs down, it’s not so great for getting adequate fresh air inside.
Recently built residences are firmly sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older homes are able to. Consequently, your house may start to smell musty, feel too humid or have troubles with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they may complain of growing issues.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to increase the ventilation in your home in Albuquerque. Most of the answers that we’ll talk about soon are easy and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the fastest method to get fresh air into your residence during mild temperatures. But it’s important to know this frequently isn’t a year-round possibility and can lead to problems if someone in your household 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 greatest, according to Mayo Clinic. You also shouldn’t open them during dry, windy days, as the weather can aggravate allergies.
2. Turn on Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Running these fans gets rid of stale air, excess moisture, odors and other indoor contaminants. They’re also inexpensive to use. An exhaust fan costs about $7-$15 each year 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 suggests looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers nearly silent, constant operation. These fans typically come with a sensor that will turn them on 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 be aware that an exhaust fan can negatively influence your house’s temperature, since it’s removing air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Home’s Humidity in Check
The best humidity level for your residence is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the ideal percentage of humidity won’t enhance ventilation, it can enhance your residence’s indoor air quality and keep your loved ones comfortable at a more energy-efficient temperature.
If the humidity is too low, you may experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your house, causing them to crack. On the flip side, 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 way 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 transport an inefficient portable system around your home, spilling water as you walk.
It’s also important to know the right humidity amount can also make air more comfy at an energy-efficient temp, helping you save more on utility costs.
4. Get a Ventilation System
Adding a mechanical ventilation system is one of the best ways to bring in additional fresh air into your house throughout the year. There are two different styles—heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and energy recovery ventilation (ERV). These systems constantly get rid of stuffy indoor air and replace it with fresh outdoor air.
HRV is ideal for cool climates, since it holds on to the heat from the indoor air it exhausts. ERV is good for warm locations, since it draws out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both systems, so talk with our I-Deal HVAC ventilation professionals about what’s ideal for your Albuquerque home.
If stale or ongoing odors are an issue in your home, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems give an added level of filtration, which can also assist with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your home.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you find the right option for your home. Contact us at 505-445-1250 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll look at your present equipment and learn about your needs prior to providing our suggestions on the ideal options to enhance ventilation in your house.