Couldn’t agree more about the “too tight” house thing. I picked up a duplex a few years back where the previous owner had gone wild with spray foam and caulk—looked great on paper, but come winter, tenants were calling about condensation on the windows and even some mold cropping up behind furniture. Turns out, they’d blocked every possible path for air to escape, but hadn’t upgraded ventilation at all. Ended up retrofitting some proper exhaust fans and making sure they actually vented outside (not just into the attic like you said... learned that lesson the hard way).
It’s tempting to chase that perfect energy bill, but sometimes a little airflow is just what keeps a place livable. There’s definitely a sweet spot between “drafty old barn” and “sealed Tupperware.” I’d say, don’t be afraid of a bit of fresh air—just make sure it’s controlled and not coming in through a hole in the roof.
There’s definitely a sweet spot between “drafty old barn” and “sealed Tupperware.”
That’s the trick, isn’t it? I’ve seen folks obsess over every crack and gap, then end up with a house that feels stuffy even with the windows closed. Did you notice any difference in your heating bills after adding the fans? I always wonder how much energy savings you lose by bringing in more outside air, even if it’s controlled. Sometimes I think a little bit of “leakiness” is just part of having a healthy house.
I totally get what you mean about finding that balance. When we tightened up our place, I noticed the air got a bit stale, especially in the winter. We did see our heating bill drop, but then we ended up running the bathroom fan more often just to keep things fresh. Not sure how much we actually saved in the end… Maybe a little draft isn’t the worst thing if it keeps the air from feeling dead.
I hear you on the stale air, but I’d still argue it’s worth sealing things up tight. We had the same issue—house felt stuffy after we insulated and weatherstripped everything. But instead of running the bathroom fan all the time, we picked up a small energy-efficient air exchanger. It wasn’t too pricey, and it keeps the air fresh without losing all that heat we paid for. A little draft might seem harmless, but over time those leaks really add up on your bill... I’d rather control the airflow than let it sneak in wherever it wants.
I totally get the “stale air” thing. When we sealed up our old drafty place, it felt like living in Tupperware for a bit. We ended up cracking a window just a smidge here and there—probably not the most energy efficient, but it helped until we figured out the right vent setup. Honestly, I’d rather deal with a little stuffiness than those crazy heating bills from before.
