My House Feels Stuffy, How Do I Fix That?

Sometimes a home can start to feel stuffy, or the air seems stale inside. This can be caused by several things, from a faulty HVAC system to something as simple as not enough fresh air. Purifying the air and adding fresh air are the first steps to getting rid of that stuffy-home feeling.

As professionals in home comfort, we have some suggestions on how to get rid of that stuffy house feeling, including a solution for removing stale air in your home so that indoor comfort is improved overall.

How to Get Rid of Stale Air in My House?

Stale air in the home isn’t smelly, but it can still be unpleasant. In some parts of Pennsylvania, we say the room “feels close.” It’s that stuffy feeling in a room where no fresh air circulates.

First, air out your house. Even if it’s winter, let some fresh air in for just a few minutes and allow it to flow through the home.  This will force stagnant air out of the home.

A stuffy room lacks ventilation. The best time for natural ventilation through open doors and windows is when the outdoor air is cooler and drier than your indoor air.

How to Circulate Clean Air

To improve the air quality in your home year-round, install an air scrubber. These are mechanical devices that control air pollutants, dander, and other contaminants.  Young’s Home Comfort can professionally install Air Scrubbers by Aerus in your home or office building that continuously freshen and clean the air in your living space and prevent that stuffy feeling.

If you have ceiling fans, use them year-round to circulate the air. Smaller, portable fans can be set up around the home to mitigate that stuffy feeling and should be used, especially, in rooms without windows.

My House Smells Stale or Musty

If you notice a stale or musty smell in your home, it could be a sign that there is too much humidity indoors.

You can get rid of musty smells in your home using a dehumidifier. Whole-home dehumidifiers are the ideal solution for keeping musty smells and unwanted moisture out of your house year-round but if you can’t afford a whole-home dehumidifier, then consider purchasing a smaller, portable unit and set it up in the rooms that feel most stuffy and smell stale.

Change or clean any air filters in your HVAC units (and make a note to yourself to do so every 60 days.

Also, have a professional inspect your home air conditioning unit for any malfunctions. Our HVAC professionals can keep your air conditioner running efficiently and prolong its life. AC inspections are part of our Home Comfort Plans. In about 30 minutes, we will identify any issues and resolve them

Other Ways to Fix a Stuffy House?

We know you don’t want to think about this, but is it possible someone in your house left wet (or sweaty) clothing in a pile for too long? It happens in the best of homes! Inspect each room to see if you detect any items that might be causing a musty odor. If you find any, immediately clean them.

Weekly dusting and vacuuming also may help reduce the stuffy smells and feeling in your home, especially if you own pets. Changing the linens, shower liners, and freshening rugs around your home to help mitigate stuffy odors that accumulate indoors.

Want to learn more about improving the air quality in your home? Contact us today.