Maintaining a healthy amount of airflow and good indoor air quality can sometimes be difficult when cold weather hits, because homeowners have a tendency to close their homes off to the outside world to stay warm. To help ensure that this doesn’t present a problem, here’s a quick winter-ventilation guide based on a few helpful tips:
Consider a Balanced Ventilation System
A balanced ventilation system is a fantastic way to maintain proper airflow and good indoor air quality. It functions by exchanging the fresh air outside your home with the stagnant air that’s inside at the same rate. Your best bet is to hire a qualified technician for its installation.
Install a Supply Ventilation System
A supply ventilation system, also installed by an HVAC technician, pulls in fresh air from outdoors and then allows the stale air inside to seep out through leaks found in your home. However, be aware that this process also pulls in moisture, which can be a detriment.
Use Bathroom and Kitchen Fans
The fans in your bathrooms and kitchen do a great job expelling bad air to improve the indoor air quality. Fans in the bathroom will help reduce moisture that causes mold and mildew, while the fan in the kitchen will remove fumes and bad odors.
Change the Direction of Ceiling Fans
Whenever the season changes, it’s a good idea to flip the switch on the side of your ceiling fan to change the direction of the blades. Doing this will pull the cold air up and push the warm air down, which will improve airflow and help maintain a reasonable amount of heat.
Try Opening Your Windows Just a Bit
It’s obvious that you don’t want to leave your windows open when it’s cold outside, but except on especially frigid days, cracking your window open an inch or so will help refresh your home with the outside air without freezing your household.