Beyond health and air quality concerns, poor ventilation can lead to higher-than-normal energy use, add unnecessary wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment, and potentially cause lasting damage to your home. Knowing how to identify these issues is the first step to addressing them.

Inadequate ventilation can reveal itself in a variety of unpleasant ways, including:

• Lingering odors or musty smells.
• Stale or stuffy air.
• Excessive allergies.
• Condensation inside of windows.
• Signs of mold or mildew.

Keep in mind, these issues can often start in out-of-the-way spaces like your basement before spreading to the rest of your home.

If you do see signs of poor ventilation, breathe easy. Here are three simple ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality on your own.

• Spot ventilation: One of the easiest ways to improve air quality is to remove moisture and air pollutants at the source. Running your bathroom fan during and after a shower or bath is a great way to get rid of excess moisture. Similarly, running your kitchen fan can also help remove pollutants — especially while using the stove or oven.

• Increase ventilation: You can use your bath fan to exhaust stale air by running it throughout the day. Setting your furnace to fan mode will also periodically draw in fresh air if your home has an air intake connected to the return of the furnace. Running both fans in tandem can have a surprising impact on your home’s overall ventilation and air quality.

• Heat or energy recovery ventilators: Your home could also benefit from a heat or energy recovery ventilator that cycles in fresh, ventilated air while recovering heat energy. Ask a Trade Ally contractor about your installation options.

If you’re still encountering issues, it’s time to call in the experts. A home energy assessment from a qualified Trade Ally contractor can help clear the air. From attic to basement, they’ll pinpoint the source of any ventilation or air quality issues and recommend ways to address them. Common solutions include:

• Insulation and air sealing: Two of the most common—and most important—recommendations are insulation and air sealing improvements. Ensuring proper insulation levels and regularly identifying and sealing leaks around your home’s exterior helps your ventilation system operate at its best.

• Basement dehumidification: While heat isn’t as much of a concern underground, filtering out excess humidity from your basement helps prevent mold and mildew.

When you’re ready to take the next step toward a healthier, more efficient home, Focus on Energy insulation and air sealing rebates can help you make it happen. Get in touch with a Trade Ally contractor today to discuss your home ventilation opportunities or schedule an assessment.