Indoor air can get stale during both the warmer and the colder months, which can be both uncomfortable and unhealthy. That’s why you should introduce fresh air into your home frequently so you and your family can breathe a little easier. But how can you ensure your home is getting enough of it? And better yet, how much fresh air does your home need? Albert Air Inc., your local source of top-notch HVAC products like Carrier evaporator coils and thermostats, explains more below.
It might seem too technical for the average homeowner to try to determine the right amount of fresh air to allow inside their home, but there’s a simple calculation that can provide the exact value. All you have to do is measure three air temperatures, namely:
Outside air temperature (OAT) entering your HVAC unit from the outdoors
Return air temperature (RAT) entering the equipment
Mixed air temperature (MAT), which is a mixture of the OAT and RAT that occurs in the return plenum or blower compartment
From here, a formula is used to determine the fresh air percentage, which is as follows:
[(MAT – RAT) / (OAT – RAT)] x 100 = Fresh Air %
Many contractors with good ductless air conditioner reviews will also mention the fact that most fresh air calculations stem from a rate of cubic feet per minute (cfm) per person. It takes the size of the building and the number of occupants into account. The required fresh air (in cfm) per person in homes falls within the range of five to 15.
One of the best ways to take out stale air and bring in fresh air is to open your windows every day for at least 15 minutes. It helps if you have windows on both sides of your home, with one side drawing in fresh air and the other taking out stale air. Try to do this at times when there’s less pollution outside, preferably before 10 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
If you’re looking up “ductless air conditioner installers near me” on the internet, keep Albert Air Inc. in mind. Our team of certified technicians can perform tests and evaluations to determine the best course of action to improve your home’s indoor air quality. Call (714) 526-6368 or fill out our contact form to request a service or estimate.