How to Ventilate your House in the Summer?

July 10th, 2020

When the summer heat causes our homes to be uncomfortably hot and humid, or when the cost of running the air-conditioner full-time is simply too much, homeowners look for ways to cool and ventilate their homes effectively and cost efficiently. And even when the temperature is comfortable in our homes, we mustn’t forget the importance of ventilation to maintain or increase the air quality.

The air quality and ventilation experts at Solution D’Air are commonly asked these questions about how to properly ventilate your house in the summer:

• Should my air conditioner fan be set to ON or AUTO?
• Is it OK to open windows when running the air conditioner?
• Do ceiling fans really help to ventilate during the summer?
• Should windows be sealed shut all summer long if I have an HVAC system?

When answering these questions, it’s important to keep in mind that ventilation refers to the process of moving bad air out, and replacing it with good air. Ventilation is important in all seasons and temperatures for keeping humidity down and increasing the air quality in all types of homes whether they have an HVAC central air system, a wall-unit, window air conditioner units, or rely on windows and fans alone.

Let’s have a look at what we know about ventilating your house, apartment or condominium during hot summer weather.
Fans: Ceiling, Portable, Kitchen & Bathroom
Fans are an important part of any home air ventilation strategy. Used properly, fans can keep air flowing in the right direction to push out stale air and introduce fresh air into your living space. Fans also help us to feel cooler by the air flow, and can help remove humidity in a home which would otherwise contribute to the growth of mould and other allergens.

Tips for using fans effectively for summer ventilation:
• Change your ceiling fan to circulate counterclockwise during the summer to push cool air down
• Run your washroom and kitchen fans every time moisture is introduced into the air (showering, cooking, etc).
• Use ceiling and portable fans only when you’re in the room
• Experiment with a portable fan facing out of an open window on the hottest, sunniest side of your house to create air flow which pushes hot air out through the fan and sucks in cooler air through a slightly opened window on the cooler, shadier side of your home.

HVAC Central Air Conditioners
If your home has an HVAC air conditioner unit, it’s important to make it as easy as possible for the system to cool your house without working harder or longer than necessary. HVAC systems are very efficient when it comes to ventilating homes because they introduce outside air and vent out the stale air automatically. Air conditioners are also effective when it comes to removing humidity from your home and sometimes this dehumidifying action is enough to make you feel more comfortable without having to lower the temperature dramatically.

Tips for using an HVAC air conditioner to properly ventilate during hot summer weather:
• Make sure the exterior fan unit is clear of dirt and debris so that it can run efficiently
• Close the air vents in the basement and keep all vents open on the main and upper floors (cool air falls so there’s no need to pump extra coolness into the basement)
• Ensure the cold air return vents are free of dust and not blocked by furniture
• Set the fan setting to ON instead of AUTO to keep the cool air from the basement and lower levels circulating throughout the house

Windows
Screened windows and doors are sometimes under-rated when it comes to ventilating your home. Even if you’re running your HVAC system in hot spells, don’t be afraid to open your windows and doors to introduce fresh air into your home.

Tips for ventilating your home using windows during hot summer weather:
• Open windows during cooler nights and mornings, close up during high heat
• Close your curtains when the sun is beating through
• Cool down your garage and enclosed porches during cooler evenings and keep them closed during midday heat
• Create a vacuum effect to increase airflow by opening windows on opposite sides of the house and keeping all interior doors open in the path of the air flow
• Combine the power of your HVAC fan with open windows to quickly circulate fresh air through your home. Make sure the system is turned to OFF (not COOL or HEAT) and set the fan to ON (not AUTO).

No matter how you choose to ventilate your home during the hot summer months, be sure to keep a regular flow of good air in and bad air out of your living spaces. If you have any questions about how to ventilate your house to increase your air quality and keep the temperature comfortable, don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions.