Ventilation Preparation for Cold Weather

Fall is a great time to start preparing your home’s ventilation for the colder months. This time of year is a nice buffer season between the hot summer days and harsh winter months — perfect for performing important checks on your ventilation system. 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.

Keeping your home well ventilated 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.

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.

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.

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 to heat your home.

If your home ventilation system needs improvements or maintenance this fall, give Bradley Mechanical a call at (804) 748-6728. 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.