Modern residences are more energy efficient than ever. While this is ideal for keeping your heating and cooling bills small, it’s not so good for introducing enough fresh air inside.
Newer homes are securely sealed, which means they don’t “breathe” like older homes can. As a result, your residence can start to smell stale, feel too humid or have issues with condensation. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your family, they could experience increasing problems.
Luckily, it’s not hard to increase the ventilation in your home in Williamsport. Many of the options that we’ll talk about in a minute are uncomplicated and reasonably priced.
1. Open Windows and Screened Doors
This is the simplest method to get fresh air into your home during mild weather. But it’s essential to be aware this typically isn’t a year-round solution and can lead to 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 don’t want to open them during dry, windy weather, because the weather can worsen allergies.
2. Use Exhaust Fans in Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Operating these fans gets rid of stale air, extra moisture, odors and other indoor pollutants. They’re also economical to run. 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 advises looking for an ENERGY STAR® ventilation fan that delivers nearly silent, constant operation. These fans frequently are equipped with a sensor that will switch 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 important to note that an exhaust fan can adversely influence your house’s temperature, since it’s getting rid of air that you’ve already heated or cooled.
3. Keep Your Residence’s Humidity Even
The best humidity level for your home is between 30–50%, according to Mayo Clinic. While the correct amount of humidity won’t improve ventilation, it can boost your home’s indoor air quality and keep your household pleasant at a more energy-efficient setting.
If humidity isn’t high enough, you may experience dry skin, a scratchy throat or itchy eyes. Dry air can also affect wood flooring and furnishings in your home, causing them to splinter. In contrast, humidity that’s too great can make air feel stale or stuffy. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth and irritate allergies or asthma.
The best approach to keep humidity under control is with a whole-home solution. We sell humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your furnace and air conditioning system. There’s no need to lug an inefficient portable system from room to room, spilling water as you move.
It’s also important to know the right humidity amount can also make air more comfortable at an energy-efficient temperature, helping you pay less on energy bills.
4. Purchase a Ventilation System
Installing a mechanical ventilation system is one of the top ways to introduce more fresh air into your residence year-round. 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 holds on to the heat from the indoor air it lets out. ERV is fantastic for hot locations, because it pulls out warmth and moisture from your air. Some areas can benefit from both units, so check with our Lycoming Heating Company ventilation experts about what’s ideal for your Williamsport residence.
If musty or persistent odors are a problem in your home, you can also get a whole-house air purification system. These systems provide an added level of filtration, which can also assist with lowering pet dander, allergens and bacteria in your residence.
Our ventilation professionals are here to help you select the best product for your residence. Contact us at 570-326-4450 right away for a free, no-obligation home comfort assessment. We’ll view your current equipment and find out about your needs in advance of providing our recommendations on the best possibilities to increase ventilation in your home.