Home Ventilation Preparation for Cold Weather

Home heating and airflow require proper ventilation. Poor ventilation can be a big problem this time of year, especially when you want to heat your home up on a chilly night but can't seem to feel the heat.

Fall is a great time to start preparing your home's ventilation for the colder months. Fall provides us with a nice buffer between the hot summer days and harsh winter months -- perfect for performing important performance checks on your ventilation system. After all, finding out you have a problem with your ventilation or energy loss issues before the cold weather comes can save you a lot in energy costs.

Most of all, a home with great ventilation feels fresh and welcoming. Proper home ventilation will help control humidity levels and keep you and your loved ones comfortable while also improving indoor air quality so that you can breathe easier.

Does Your Home Have Poor Ventilation?

Some easy ways to tell if your home has poor air ventilation include:

• Persistent, unpleasant smells, like mold, mildew or excessive dust, can cause strange odors and indicate your home is struggling with airflow.
• Excessive indoor humidity and condensation that are difficult to get rid of, even with a dehumidifier.
• Mold growth around your home, but most commonly in basements, bathrooms and crawl spaces.
• Poor indoor air quality that is either noticeable by the homeowners as feeling "stuffy" or determined by a professional.
• A lot of dust, especially if it feels like you dust regularly but can't seem to get rid of it.

If you've ever returned home and felt like the air in your home is uncomfortable, it's likely your home has issues with the air ventilation system.

How to Improve Home Ventilation

Keeping your home well-ventilated with proper home heating and air in the fall is very important. There are a few things homeowners can check to be certain their ventilation system is in proper working order for the colder season.

Schedule an HVAC Maintenance Appointment

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success ahead of the colder months is to schedule a bi-annual HVAC maintenance appointment. Certified technicians, like those at Bradley Mechanical, will arrive prepared to do a full performance check on your HVAC system, address any repairs or tune-ups and ensure the system is ready to provide heat when you need it most.

Clean the exhaust fans

Exhaust fans are usually located in areas like the kitchen or bathrooms where steam and water vapor most often occur. They help eliminate excess moisture in your home, which can reduce mold growth and keep your HVAC system working efficiently. Be sure to check that your exhaust fans are in working order and use them whenever cooking, showering or bathing.

Replace air filters

Air filters have a very important role in your home's ventilation system. Keeping the air clean and your HVAC running efficiently can sometimes mean simply replacing the air filters once every 30 to 90 days.

Install an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)

Installing an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) can help conserve energy and maintain healthy humidity levels. An ERV recovers heat and moisture from outgoing air and transfers it to the air coming in, much like the radiator in a car. Depending on the model, an ERV can capture up to 85 percent of the heat in outgoing air, thus greatly reducing the cost of heating your home.

Check your Ductwork

Your ductwork helps transfer air from your HVAC to your home, so if they're dirty and dusty, the air circulating your home will be of similar quality. Poorly designed or broken ductwork can also impact airflow significantly.

Improve Home Ventilation with Bradley Mechanical

If your home ventilation system needs improvements or maintenance this fall, give Bradley Mechanical a call at (804) 748-6728. We offer a number of solutions that can enhance your indoor air quality, including:

• Upgrading and installing your HVAC system
• Cleaning and sealing your ductwork
• Fixing any old or poor insulation
• Repairing exhaust fans and vents
• Switching out your air filters
• And more!

We have highly trained HVAC ventilation experts here to make sure your home has the best indoor air quality. We've been providing Richmond and Central Virginia with quality residential and commercial ventilation services since 1969. With over 50 years of experience, we'll help your home feel more comfortable, safe and healthy with just one visit.

Reach out to us to discover why your home may be struggling with poor ventilation and how it could be resolved.