Effective Home Ventilation Tips For Healthier Indoor Air

Ventilation is the exchange of air from one place to another. In your home, this means bringing in outside air and letting out the inside air. A healthy home needs to breathe, just as you do.

Proper home ventilation reduces indoor air pollutants (such as formaldehyde from new carpets and radon gases). It reduces the moisture level, which can lead to mold and even rotting wood. Proper home ventilation also reduces odors from pets, cooking, smoking, and other daily activities.

Musty odors, condensation on your windows, wood warping, and peeling or chipping paint can all indicate problems with your indoor air quality. And if you have year-round allergy issues, your home may be contributing to the problem.

Here are some suggestions for taking control of your home’s ventilation:

Use spot ventilation

There are several ways you can introduce spot ventilation throughout your home. Firstly, install exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen to remove moisture and odors. Secondly, avoid dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning by making sure that fireplaces or wood stoves are properly vented. Finally, make sure clothes dryers and whole house vacuums vent directly outside.

Keep your HVAC filters clean

Your HVAC system circulates air throughout your entire home. Dirt, dust mites, pollen, mold, mildew, and other contaminants can be trapped inside your home’s duct work and air filters. This isn’t just a nuisance, it’s unhealthy for your family, especially if a family member suffers from asthma. Keeping up on changing your air filter is critical for better air flow and an all-around healthier environment.

Keeping pollution and debris out of your HVAC system will also help to ensure proper and efficient operation. A dirty filter will slow down the air flow, causing the furnace to work harder to heat your home and your AC to work harder to cool it.

Insulate and ventilate your attic

Heat and condensation often build up in the attic, causing mold and affecting structural integrity. Whole house fans, soffit vents, eaves vents and the like can prevent these issues.

Install a ventilation system

Have your home audited by a reliable HVAC professional who can help you decide on the best ventilation system for your home. Older homes are generally less airtight, which means they may leak air unpredictably and uncontrollably. In contrast, newer homes, which were built to be more energy-efficient, may actually be too tight for good health. An HVAC professional can assess your needs and your home’s condition, and recommend an efficient and effective solution.

For more information on proper home ventilation or any HVAC issue, feel free to contact the HVAC experts at Sila. We look forward to serving you!

Additional Resources

  1. Alleviate Seasonal Allergies With Your HVAC System
  2. What to Know About the Relationship Between Home Humidifiers and Health
  3. 5 Benefits of a New, High-Efficiency HVAC System
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