Acker Heating & Cooling

Proper ventilation does more than maintain the comfort of your living space. It can also improve indoor air quality by eliminating excess humidity and air pollutants. Maintaining good airflow in your home can also help reduce your energy bills. 

Read on to discover the do’s and don’ts of home ventilation.

The Do’s of Home Ventilation

Allow Fresh Air Indoors

Consider opening windows and doors when outdoor temperatures are not too hot or cold. Polluted indoor air can escape, and fresh air can enter through these openings. Open windows in different areas of your house to encourage passive ventilation. 

Keep Your Attic Well-Ventilated

With a well-ventilated attic, the sun’s heat is less likely to travel to your indoor spaces. As a result, your HVAC system will effortlessly reach your desired temperature. The reduced load on your equipment can prevent its components from malfunctioning and lower the energy it consumes. It means you will enjoy savings on utility, repair & maintenance costs. 

Improve Your Attic Insulation

It’s not enough that your attic has good ventilation, it should also have sufficient insulation. Properly insulating your attic can help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. It prevents conditioned air from escaping the area, reducing the strain on your HVAC system. 

Get Regular HVAC Maintenance

An efficient heating and cooling system will continue to provide your living space with good airflow. Besides keeping your home comfortable, it can also help maintain healthy indoor humidity levels. Schedule regular HVAC maintenance from a reliable company to ensure your equipment performs well and lasts long. 

Ensure You Have Sufficient Ductwork 

Air circulates your home through the ductwork. It must be the appropriate size for your home to avoid uneven indoor temperatures. If you don’t have sufficient ducts in the house, your HVAC system will work harder than it should, causing discomfort and increased energy costs. Have your ductwork checked by professionals if you find some rooms harder to cool or heat than others. 

Have Your Ductwork Routinely Cleaned

Besides maintaining good airflow, well-maintained ductwork can improve your HVAC system’s efficiency and indoor air quality. Dirt, dust and other debris in your ducts can prevent conditioned air from reaching your living space. These contaminants can also circulate in your home, potentially triggering allergies and asthma attacks. Avoid these issues by having your ductwork cleaned regularly. If your technician finds leaks, don’t wait long before getting an air duct sealing service. 

Use Exhaust Fans in Moisture-Prone Areas

You may not be aware that your daily chores can generate moisture, from cooking and running the dishwasher to showering and doing laundry. Use exhaust fans in moisture-prone areas of your home, such as your bathroom and kitchen, to eliminate excess moisture. Opening windows can also prevent increased humidity and lingering odors. 

Replace Air Filters Regularly

Air filters trap dust, pollen, pet dander and other airborne particles. Over time, these contaminants can accumulate in the filters, reducing your HVAC system’s performance and affecting your indoor air quality. Most filters require a replacement every 30 to 90 days. If someone in the family suffers from asthma or allergies, you may need to get new filters more often. 

Invest in a Whole-House Fan

Installing a whole-house fan is one of the best ways to improve your home’s comfort and indoor air quality. It can ventilate your entire living space, allowing fresh air indoors and pushing humid air outdoors. In summer, it can make rooms easier to cool and lower your energy costs. During the colder months, it can help keep the air you breathe at home as clean as possible. 

The Don’ts of Home Ventilation

Run Whole-House Fans for Extended Periods With Closed Windows or Vents

It’s not a good idea to keep your whole-house fans running for too long without opening windows or vents. If you do so, your windows and doors will become hard to open. Moreover, don’t ventilate your home when it’s warmer outdoors than indoors. It can make your living space uncomfortably warm.

Use Your Fireplace and Exhaust Fans at the Same Time

Your fireplace can elevate negative pressure by dragging air from your home. Chimney black drafting will occur when you use your fireplace and exhaust fans simultaneously. It happens when air is forced down the chimney, causing combustion gases to enter your house. 

Store Firewood in Your Home

Firewood is not something you should store inside your home. It contains nutrients that mold needs to grow. If there isn’t any other area you can keep them, be sure they are dry before stacking. 

Add Too Many Vents in Your Attic 

It is a common misconception that having more vents in your attic is better. In fact, too much air will enter the area if it has too many vents. Strong winds can cause extensive damage to your attic ventilation and increase the likelihood of roof damage. 

Vent Fans Back Into Your Home

All exhaust fans in your house should have an exterior vent. It ensures exhaust fans are effectively removing excess moisture from your house. Sometimes, exhaust fans release humid air into other areas of your home, such as your attic. The area could get too warm and humid if this is the case. 

Ignore Gaps and Cracks Around Your Home

Air can infiltrate your home through gaps and cracks in your windows, doors and walls. You should consider having these places checked if you’ve noticed that your energy costs are increasing even without adding new appliances. You can address these openings by adding weatherstripping underneath windows and doors and sealing cracks around moving parts. Your walls should also have adequate insulation to minimize energy loss. 

Do you need help improving your home’s indoor air quality? At Acker Heating & Cooling, we will assess your space and recommend solutions to create a healthier living environment for your family. We’re also here to assist with your HVAC repair & maintenance needs. Call us at (706) 425-8774 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.