Proper ventilation is extremely important. Ventilation is the movement of air through a specific area. Without it, air quality will drop, and air will feel stale and stuffy. Keep your home’s air quality high with some proper ventilation and a little air movement.
There are many and simple ways to up the ventilation in your home. Poor ventilation is not only uncomfortable, but it can also put a strain on your HVAC unit.
Signs Your House is Poorly Ventilated
There is a lot of steam. If you see excessive condensation you could have low ventilation. High levels of moisture could lead to mold and bacteria growth, rotten wood, and possibly even structural damage. A little condensation is normal, but if you’re seeing too much you may want to look into better ventilation.
A poorly ventilated area will feel stuffy, warm, and humid. The space will feel uncomfortable. When you first walk into the room, do you feel a difference? Does it feel like you’re hitting a wall? The stuffy feeling of poor ventilation is sure to make you feel uncomfortable.
Areas that have poor ventilation are much more likely to be humid. This could lead to mold growth. That may lead you to a mold allergy—if so, you will feel symptoms of fatigue, sniffling, sneezing, and headaches.
Poor ventilation is particularly dangerous for carbon monoxide, radon poisoning, smoke, and chemicals from cleaners. Proper ventilation will help your breath deeper and fresher air. Newer houses tend to be more airtight, making them more energy efficient but less ventilated. Exchanging indoor and outdoor air is reduce air pollutions, maintain a comfortable humid level, and better air quality.
How to Improve Your Ventilation
Natural ventilation is a great option and easily obtained. Simply keeping doors and windows open will naturally air out your home. Don’t close off rooms, even if you don’t use them often. During the summer, be sure to open windows in the early morning and evening when outside temperatures are cool, will better your home’s air quality. Be sure to close those windows during the heat of the day though. Throughout the winter crack windows in different rooms throughout the day and evening.
Keeping air flow going throughout your house for proper ventilation. This can be done when you keep windows and doors open, using fans, and creating a healthy indoor environment will keep your home’s air clear. Your home’s environment is impacted by things like carpet, beddings, pillows, and furniture. Keeping these things clean and washing them regularly, will help to keep dust and debris out of your air.
A dehumidifier may also help your air quality. Too much condensation and moisture in the air will not only cause problems in your house but contribute to the stuffy, uncomfortable feeling of poor ventilation. Investing in a dehumidifier for particularly humid parts of your house, like the bathroom, will help ventilate.
If you notice poor ventilation in a particular room, try adding a fan to that room and keeping airways open.
