If you have a newer home, it’s probably pretty airtight. Even if you’re in an older home, you may have made improvements to keep your conditioned air from leaking out and unconditioned air from getting in. That’s all good as far as controlling temperature goes, but what about home ventilation?
Decades ago, when home construction was not as tight as it is today, home ventilation wasn’t such an issue. Nowadays, though, we know how polluted our indoor air can be. Not only is ventilation a good way to improve indoor air quality by getting rid of contaminants, but it can also be used to reduce humidity.
The following are some ways you can improve your home’s air quality with home ventilation./p>
Ventilating Your Home
- Start off right. If you’re in the fortunate position of building a home, plan your ventilation right from the get-go. Orient your home so that you can make the most of prevailing breezes through windows and doors. Install windows and skylights that are easy to open.
- Install whole-home ventilation. Several options are available: exhaust, supply, balanced, and heat recovery and energy recovery ventilators. For our steamy climate, supply or balanced ventilation are probably the best choices. These ventilation systems help to provide fresh air, although they may introduce more moisture into the home, making it harder for your air conditioner to remove humidity.
- Install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, and make sure they are vented to the outdoors. Moisture collects in kitchens and bathrooms, and mold and mildew can result. This step can help reduce humidity and odors. If your clothes dryer is located indoors, make sure it’s vented outdoors as well
- Install a whole-house fan. These fans, usually installed between the ceiling and your home space, allow you to open windows while stale air is exhausted into the attic, and fresh air is drawn through the windows. You also get the benefit of a nice breeze.
For more information on improving home ventilation, give us a call at Bryans United Air Conditioning, 504-208-2071. We’ve been serving Metro New Orleans since 1982.
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