If you have a leakier home, you probably don't need to run a fan to get more fresh air. But if live an air tight home or you've improved or are planning to improve the air-tightness of your home, you'll want to know about heat recovery ventilators (HRV) and energy (or enthalpy) recovery ventilators (ERV).
So, what's the fix? It's pretty straightforward. If your home is sealed tighter than a drum, just crack open a window or turn on the bathroom fan or kitchen hood every day. This simple act swaps out stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air -- you're literally giving your house a breath of fresh air.
By using ceiling fans, or portable fans for trouble spots, you can keep the air moving and avoid stuffy air and that stale smell. If your stale air problems are caused by moisture, a dehumidifier can help by taking that moisture right out of the air in any room that's giving you trouble.
Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea. Because many illnesses can cause these symptoms, diagnosing sick building syndrome is difficult.
Keep your windows and doors open so that fresh air can move into your home. Natural air is the best way in which you can get fresh air into your house. Use a fan to improve air quality: If you place a fan near a window or a door, it is going to blow air outside.
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is particularly helpful during the winter months, when it's common to have warm, dry, stale air circulating throughout your home. It works by bringing cool, fresh air into the home while also exchanging it for the stale air indoors.
Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Also, some specific diseases have been linked to specific air contaminants or indoor environments, like asthma with damp indoor environments.
Change your furnace filter regularly. Avoid burning in your home, including fireplaces, wood stoves, gas appliances, and candles. Avoid chemicals such as air fresheners, sprays and cleaning products or use a healthier option. Vacuum your rugs and carpets regularly.
Persistent Odors: Homes should refresh and clear out odors naturally through proper ventilation. If cooking smells, smoke, or other odors last longer than they should, it's likely your home isn't circulating air properly.
While every space has its share of toxins that needs to be filtered or ventilated, buildup occurs if the air isn't circulating regularly. Fresh cleaner air is drastically important for everyone's health and well-being and the quality of indoor spaces.
Simple things you can do to improve your indoor air quality include: Reduce dust by vacuuming regularly and using a microfiber or damp cloth for dusting. Reduce humidity to avoid mold and mildew buildup and change appliance filters regularly. And make sure to test your home for dangerous gases like radon.
Poor Indoor Air Quality Is Especially Hard on the Respiratory System. Common indoor pollutants such as radon, asbestos, mold, and more go for the ears, nose, throat, and lungs.
Internally, apply sealant to gaps between the wall reveals / window boards and the window / door units. Draughtstrip existing windows and external doors. (Do not draughtstrip to kitchens and bathrooms unless extract ventilation is provided.) Use synthetic rubber or elastomeric tubular seals.
While a house can't be too tightly sealed, it can be poorly ventilated. If you tightly seal your house without ensuring that it has adequate ventilation, you won't get any fresh air circulation, which can make it feel stuffy and stale indoors.
Using fans while the windows and doors are open will get air moving even faster. Use a dehumidifier if the air feels and moist stuffy. If you're in the bathroom or kitchen, turn on the exhaust fan to get air moving. In the kitchen, you can also turn on the range hood fan (if you have one).
Effects on overall health
Fresh air does not enter and stale air is not removed to the outside. The consequences are: Increased risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies. Increased risk of developing respiratory problems.
There are several low-to-no-cost steps you can take to improve the indoor air quality in your home based on three best practice strategies of: controlling the sources of pollution; insuring there is adequate ventilation; and, using supplemental air cleaning and filtration.
Sources of air pollution are multiple and context specific. The major outdoor pollution sources include residential energy for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, agriculture/waste incineration, and industry.
Human activities within buildings, such as smoking, burning solid fuels, cooking, and cleaning. Vapors from building and construction materials, equipment, and furniture. Biological contaminants, such as mold, viruses, or allergens.
There are many indoor air monitors available on the market, including the Airthings Wave Plus and the uHoo Smart Air Monitor. Alternatively, you can buy another type of smart device that has air quality monitoring functionality, such as a tech-enabled air purifier, smart thermostat or indoor home security camera.