I totally get where you’re coming from. We moved into our place last year and I swear, the air sometimes feels stuffy even with the HRV running. I miss being able to just crack a window without worrying about “messing up the system.” There’s gotta be a middle ground... I’m still figuring it out too, but you’re not alone in thinking it’s a bit much.
That’s a common thing I’m hearing with these new builds—everything’s so airtight now, but sometimes it just feels... off. Have you checked if your HRV is balanced properly? Sometimes the installers rush through it, and you end up with stale spots in the house. Also, are your bathroom and kitchen fans on timers or just regular switches? I’ve seen a few setups where they don’t run long enough and the moisture just hangs around. I do wonder if we’ve swung too far in sealing everything up tight without thinking about how people actually live day-to-day.
I do wonder if we’ve swung too far in sealing everything up tight without thinking about how people actually live day-to-day.
Totally get this. My place is so sealed up, I swear even the spiders can’t get in now... but sometimes it feels stuffy, like the air just sits there. I’ve got a timer on the bathroom fan, but honestly, I forget to use it half the time. Maybe old-school windows you could crack weren’t so bad after all?
Maybe old-school windows you could crack weren’t so bad after all?
Honestly, I miss those too. My last house had windows you could pop open just a bit, and it made a huge difference—especially in spring when you want some fresh air but not a full-on draft. Now, with everything sealed up tight, I feel like I’m living in Tupperware. Sure, it’s energy efficient, but at what cost? I get the point of keeping heat in (my bills are better), but sometimes I’d trade that for air that doesn’t feel... recycled.
I get where you’re coming from. The push for airtight homes is good for energy savings, but I’ve seen a lot of folks run into moisture issues—especially in colder climates. Have you noticed any condensation or mold since moving to the newer place? Sometimes mechanical ventilation helps, but it’s not quite the same as cracking a window.
