In an effort to save money and keep their home at the perfect temperature no matter what the season, many homeowners go to great lengths to seal every nook, cranny, and crack throughout their home. While making your home air tight is a great way to stay toasty warm during the winter and nice and cool during the summer, a lack of ventilation and air flow can have a serious impact on your health. Here are a few clues your home is too air tight, the dangers of stale, stagnant air, and what you can do to rectify the problem:
Can a Home Really Be Sealed Too Tight?
Many newer homes are manufactured to be as energy efficient as possible. Additionally, many owners of older homes are going to great lengths to ensure their home doesn't waste energy and money while trying to maintain a comfortable temperature. Sealing your home in the summer and winter can help save money on your electric bill, but it can also be potentially dangerous.
Homes that are sealed too tight don't allow air to naturally flow in and out of the structure. Basically, this means that you are living in the same stagnant air that isn't allowed to naturally cycle in and out of the structure. This can, unfortunately, lead to a number of serious problems, including:
Mold growth – When the humidity levels in a tightly-sealed home remain high, which typically occurs during the summer months, it can lead to mold formation. Some of the best indicators that there is too much moisture inside your home is the presence of mold throughout, condensation on the inside of the windows,and a musty odor that doesn't seem to go away.
Poor Indoor Air Quality – In addition to mold formation, a home that is too well-insulated will also feature poor air quality. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, living in an environment that features poor indoor air quality can have serious health implications, in both the short term and long term. For example, in the short term, poor indoor air quality can lead to headaches, dizziness, sore throats, and stuffy noses. In the long term, poor air quality can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease and cancer.
Tips to Help Improve Air Quality Without Sacrificing Energy-Efficiency
If you suspect your home is sealed too tightly, your first instinct might be to start opening windows or take other drastic measures that will wind up reducing your home's energy-efficiency. However, before you go to extremes, there are other ways to improve your home's air quality without making your home less efficient. Here are a few options:
Make Sure You Have the Ideal HVAC System – Believe it or not, there is such a thing as an HVAC system that is too powerful for your home. If your furnace and air conditioning unit are too large for your home, it can lead to problems with air quality and proper ventilation. Speak to your HVAC technician to help ensure your system is ideal for your home.
Invest in a Quality Humidifier and Dehumidifier – One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve indoor air quality is to invest in a humidifier and dehumidifier. The humidifier is typically utilized during the winter months, while the dehumidifier can help keep your home more comfortable during the summer.
Learn About Mechanical Ventilation – One of the best options to improve indoor air quality is to install a mechanical ventilation system. These systems utilize fans and duct work to eliminate stale air from your home and introduce fresh air, without sacrificing your home's energy efficiency.
In an attempt to make your home more energy efficient, you might have negatively impacted its air quality. If you are concerned your home's air quality is poor and want to learn what you can do to improve your family's health without impacting your house's energy-efficiency, don't hesitate to contact a professional HVAC technician for more about this topic.
Share5 January 2017
The quality of the air in your home is something that you should keep in mind every day. If the air that you breathe each day is filled with impurities, it can cause you to get sick more often and complicate matters if anyone in your home suffers from asthma or allergies. This blog is all about purifying the air in your home. You will learn everything about filtration systems and filters for your heating system to what you can do around the home to keep the air as clean as possible and create a healthy living space for your family.
