Although there are many advantages that come with the airtight building construction in today’s world, it can be a double-edged-sword when it comes to indoor air quality. While you can save money from the lower energy waste, indoor air pollution increases if you cannot facilitate the necessary exchange of indoor and outdoor air. To help you avoid this pitfall, the team at Freedom Air and Heat are here to share some pro home ventilation tips!

Nature-Inspired Ventilation

• Add Earth Mounds

When it comes to improving air circulation, there is a lot to be learned from animals and insects in the wild. With that in mind, many landscape and architectural designers now plan their projects with the method of biomimicry in mind. In relating this method to improving your ventilation, you can do as Termites do and build earth mounds in your yard. Earth mounds work by drawing in cooler air toward your house while directing hot air away through natural convection. Not only can these serve as natural ventilators but can be a great accent to your garden or landscaping.

• Cover Surrounding Grounds

Another way to make use of nature for improved ventilation is covering pavement surrounding your home with low heat-absorbing materials, like grass. With materials like grass in place, the cooler air toward the ground stays cool and can be directed into your house for additional cooling. 

• Use Outdoor Water Features

For an aesthetically pleasing solution, you can add some water features to your outdoor garden or yard area. With the proper placement of water features, warm outside air can become cool by the time it reaches your house, as it must pass through the cool water on its way. Not only will this allow you to welcome fresh air into your home without wasting your AC air but can also allow you to enjoy more time outside during hotter summer days. 

• Upgrade Your Furnishings

Another method to improve your home’s ventilation is changing some of your furnishings. For the best improvement, look for wicker or bamboo furnishings. Because these materials are more porous, they encourage good airflow, and retain very little heat. In addition to being ideal furnishings for outdoor spaces, there are many new designers utilizing these raw materials for indoor furniture pieces.

 Natural Ventilation 

• Use the Classic Cross-Breezing Method

One method that has been prevalent in architectural design since the ancient world is the construction of clerestories. Simply put, clerestories are windows built above eye level toward the ceiling. When hot air rises, clerestories serve as a natural vent through which that hot air can escape to the outdoors. In addition to the method of clerestories, you can facilitate cross-breezing by opening windows and doors that are at the opposite ends of your house. By doing this, you are effectively allowing fresh air to circulate through your home without trapping unwanted heat along with it.

• Keep Interior Doors Open

To make cross-breeze ventilation effective, you should keep interior doors to different rooms in your home open. This will allow fresh air to reach every space and will keep your conditioned cool air circulating more evenly throughout your house. 

• Use Your Ceiling Fans

Another simple, yet effective method to keep air circulating throughout your house is using your ceiling fans. Not only can your ceiling fans move air from your AC throughout your house but they can also keep fresh air circulating.

Structural Ventilation

• Vent Your Attic and Crawlspace

Not only do your attic and crawlspace control the humidity levels in your house, but they also affect the air circulation. Consequently, it’s very important to make sure both spaces are properly vented. For your attic, this means cross-ventilation between the eaves and ridge line. To ensure the efficiency of this cross ventilation, keep these vents clean and free of obstruction. 

Room-to-Room Ventilation

• Use Your Exhaust Fans

To help control moisture and excessive heat around your house, use the exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen. If you don’t have an exhaust fan, try opening a window when you shower to properly vent the air. Apply the same rule of thumb each time you use heat to cook something in your kitchen.

• Properly Vent Your Landry Room

Another room to consider in your house is your laundry room. With the humidity coming from your washer and extra heat from your dryer, proper ventilation is important. Therefore, you should ensure your dryer is adequately vented to outside, and the humidity levels are maintained.

Whole-House Ventilation  

• Invest in a Whole-House System

For a more topical solution, you can invest in a whole-house system that can mechanically ventilate your house. With powerful whole-house fans, you can exchange hot indoor air with cool outdoor air. You can also choose ceiling mounted whole-house fans that vent air from your living room into the attic. If you have ductwork, you can invest in a quieter system that will transfer hot air directly outside your home through ducts.

Go Beyond These Home Ventilation Tips

To discover more long-term solutions to improve your home’s air quality, consult with an expert from Freedom Air and Heat. If you are ready to tackle your next home improvement project, do it with the best by calling us at 321-631-6886 or by filling out a service request form on our website!