Is your home circulating enough fresh air? Don’t put your indoor air quality at risk. Here are five house ventilation tips to help you breathe easy. The concentration of indoor air pollutants is sometimes 2-5 times worse than that of outdoor pollutants. And since most people spend about 90% of their time indoors, that’s a problem.
Is your home circulating enough fresh air? You can’t control the air in other indoor environments. But at least you have some control over your home. Don’t put your health at risk with poor indoor air quality. Make sure you ventilate the air. Read on for five house ventilation tips to help you breathe easier.
Why Ventilate?
Modern building materials are sturdy and airtight. That’s a good thing. But it also means unhealthy pollutants can’t escape. Indoor pollutants come from household cleaners, dust, and mold. Even cooking creates indoor pollution. Proper ventilation reduces those indoor pollutants. But how do you ventilate?
Open the Windows
This is basic but important. Many people never open their windows. In some areas, open windows are a security issue. In other places, the weather goes from hot to cold and back again. In these climates, it’s tough not having either the heater or the AC on. If you live in one of those climates, check your HVAC system twice a year.
Always use a reputable HVAC service company like Edwin Stipe Inc. Keeping the HVAC system in good working order helps with indoor air quality. If opening the windows doesn’t compromise your safety, open them whenever possible. Opening the windows enables fresh outdoor air to circulate through your home.
Install Screen Doors
A screen on the front and back doors makes air circulation easy. Do you have big sliding glass doors? That’s another great place for screens. In temperate weather, open all the doors with screens and let the air move through the house.
Bamboo and Wicker Furniture
Bamboo and wicker furniture are light with lots of space for air circulation. These lighter materials are great for a dingy back bedroom that doesn’t get a lot of natural light or air. Bamboo and wicker also work well in a bright sunroom.
Use a Solar Chimney
A solar chimney is a simple hollow container. It connects the inside to the outside of the house. It’s a simple mechanism for both heating and cooling a building. But it also provides some ventilation. It’s sort of like opening a window but there’s even more airflow.
Exhaust Fans
If you don’t have exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom, you should. They help reduce moisture. This helps keep mold and mildew at bay. Exhaust fans vent indoor air to the outside. Exhaust fans in the kitchen help reduce smoke from cooking.
Use These House Ventilation Tips
The above five house ventilation tips should have you breathing easier in no time. Open your windows whenever possible. Install screens on sliding glass doors and the front and back door. Opening the front and back door lets the air circulate throughout the house.
Use wicker or bamboo furniture in dark rooms. Install a solar chimney if possible. And don’t forget exhaust fans, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Looking for more home advice? Read more handyman expert tips on the blog!
It is good to know that proper ventilation can reduce indoor pollutants like dust and mold. I just moved to a very old home and the air quality inside the home is not good. I have been leaving my windows open but would like something more long-term. I like the idea of getting an exhaust fan in different rooms in my house. It would be smart for me to consult a professional about what my ventilation options are.