Tips for Improving Ventilation in Your Home

The air that we breathe has a big impact on our health. Unfortunately, the air quality in our homes is often poor. There are several ways to deal with that, including ventilation. The air outside of your house is usually cleaner than the air inside it. Ventilating your home brings clean air in and pushes contaminated air out, which keeps you safe. There are many ways to ventilate a home, and the best results come from combining all of them.

1. Use an Air Filter

Air filters will not increase the airflow into your home, but they do improve its quality. You have a few options for cleaning incoming air. Your HVAC system will include a few filters. Keep an eye on them and replace them as necessary. The frequency will vary depending on the type of filter and how often you run the system. You may need to replace them every month. When in doubt, follow the instructions that came with your equipment.

You can also get an air purifier. These devices excel at eliminating mold spores, bacteria, and other irritants. If you’re interested in installing one, Puyallup Heating & Air Conditioning can help you get started. We’ll help you learn about your options and handle the installation process.

2. Activate Exhaust Fans

Your home most likely has several exhaust fans that are designed to pull air outside. They’re usually situated in bathrooms and other areas that need to eliminate moisture or fumes. You can also use these fans to improve ventilation. Turn them on if you’re painting or doing anything else that will degrade your indoor air quality.

3. Clean Your Ducts

Your HVAC system will accumulate an incredible amount of dust over time. This dust then builds up in your home’s air ducts over the years. Unfortunately, the airflow through the ducts can push that dust back into your home. You can solve that problem by cleaning your ducts regularly. Every house is different, but most air ducts should be cleaned every few years. If you see or smell mold or other contaminants in your ducts, get them cleaned right away.

4. Check for Air Leaks

It may sound strange, but properly sealing your house can actually improve its ventilation. Air leaks can interrupt the flow of air inside of your home. They can also bring in excessive moisture or spores. On top of that, they’ll increase your heating and cooling bills.

Leaks can happen anywhere, but they’re common around doors and windows. You should check those areas regularly to make sure they’re sealed properly. If you find any unwanted gaps, you can purchase and apply inexpensive weatherstripping. They may not seem important, but a bunch of little cracks can add up to a big problem.

5. Open Up Your Home

While unintended air leaks are disruptive, you can improve ventilation by bringing more fresh air inside. The key to success is arranging the openings to maximize airflow. You should try to open windows and doors on opposite ends of your house. That allows the air to come in through one opening and leave through the opposite side. If you have window fans, run them to push even more air through your house.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you do this. If you have pets or small children, you’ll need to make sure they stay safe indoors. You may have screens in your windows and doors. You can leave those shut to keep your home safe without interfering with airflow. If the exterior air contains excessive levels of pollen, smoke, or other contaminants, leave your home sealed instead to keep them out.

Reach Out to Us Today

Proper ventilation is vital if you want to maintain your home’s air quality. The key to maintaining good ventilation is keeping your HVAC system in proper shape. The best way to do that is to get help from a reputable HVAC company. At Puyallup Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve been serving the community in Puyallup, WA for more than 70 years. Our business has survived that long because we put quality work and customer service first. Our team can also assist you with heating and cooling repair, installation, and maintenance. We even handle ductwork design and installation. Contact Puyallup Heating & Air Conditioning today so that we can help improve your home’s ventilation.