Sometimes rooms such as basements, attics, or small storage rooms are built without windows. However, this doesn't mean that you can't create ways to provide more air circulation within these areas. But how do you do this? We've researched several ways to improve air circulation in windowless rooms, and in this post, we will cover them.
Here are ways to improve air circulation in rooms that don't have windows:
- Use portable fans
- Simply leave the door open
- Add a ceiling fan to the room
- Turn on the HVAC
- Add a wall air conditioner
- Install a swamp cooler
- Install a mini-split ductless air conditioner
It's not difficult to improve air circulation in windowless rooms, but it helps to be familiar with the room's layout. If you find that you can't apply one of the methods to your room, it may be a good idea to consult with a contractor who can provide you with viable options. Continue reading to learn more about the ways you can improve air circulation in windowless rooms.
Why Rooms Need Ventilation
Better air circulation can help stuffy rooms feel more comfortable. When multiple people occupy a windowless room, it's easy for the room to become warmer due to body heat. Improving the air circulation in the room can allow fresh air in, remove stale odors, and make the room feel cooler. If you plan on performing functional activities in a windowless room such as cooking or painting, you'll definitely need ventilation to remove humidity and reduce harmful VOCs from smoke or chemicals. Let's take a look at some ways to help get clean air and to windowless rooms.
Ways To Improve Air Circulation In A Room Without Windows
Use portable fans
If the room does not have a ceiling fan, you can always add one or two portable fans to the room for more circulation. Keep in mind that it's also a good idea to rotate the fans every few hours to circulate the air through all sections of the room. Adding the fans to the room will force the warm stuffy air out, making room for new fresh air from the other parts of the home to enter.
Also, be sure that one of the fans is tilted toward the ceiling and the other is faced toward the door. This way, one fan will blow away warm air as heat rises while the other guides it toward the door. If the room doesn't have an outlet, you might need a 15 or 20-foot extension cord to place in the hallway or nearby rooms.
Check out this extension cord on Amazon.
Simply leave the door open
Consider opening the door to the room to allow air in. This will help the warm air escape the room while air from the other areas of the home enters it. You can also open a nearby exterior door to allow for more circulation. If nearby rooms have windows, be sure to open them so that the air from them can get into the windowless room as well.
Add a ceiling fan to the room
Another effective method to improve air circulation in the room is to add a ceiling fan. You can purchase a ceiling fan at any local hardware store or online for about $80 to $150. The main benefit of a ceiling fan is to help move air around within a room and cool it down. You can install the ceiling fan yourself or have a contractor do it for about $150. If you plan to occupy the room frequently, installing a new ceiling fan might be worth it.
Find out more about this ceiling fan on Amazon.
Turn on the HVAC
If your home or apartment already has central air conditioning, it may easier to simply turn on the heat or air conditioning so that new air can circulate within the room. Be sure to open the room's door when doing this so that the old air from the room will be pushed out. Of course, if it's warmer outside, it's better to turn on the AC, and if it's colder, the heat. The point is to get new air, warm or cool, inside the room to increase circulation.
Add a wall air conditioner
Also, consider adding an AC unit on the wall. Wall air conditioners pretty much work similarly to window air conditioner units. However, the difference is that these units are placed on a wall within the room instead of on top of the window sill. If you're looking for an efficient way to vent the room without adding a central air conditioner system, a wall unit is definitely a good way to go. These units can help to provide cool air to the room, forcing the rest of the air inside of it to circulate.
Learn more about this through the wall air conditioner on Amazon.
Install a swamp cooler
Portable evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, are small portable coolers that you can move around from room to room to help cool them down. These miniature coolers work very well in dry climates and can help to increase air circulation in a room by blowing cool directional air into the room, forcing warm air out. These coolers generally start around $100 and can go up to $300, depending on the size and brand of the cooler.
Read more about this swamp cooler on Amazon.
Install a mini-split ductless air conditioner
Mini-split systems can give you all of the convenience of central air without the hassle of having to install air ducts. A ductless air conditioning system can force cool or warm air into the room, creating circulation within the space. A new mini-split system can range anywhere from $1,600 to over $3,000, so it is best to budget the cost of the system beforehand.
Find out more about this ductless air conditioner on Amazon.
How do you freshen the air in a windowless room?
Malodor within a room can come from several different sources. The most common sources include humidity, bacteria, soiled linens, or dirty clothes, etc. Let's look at a few ways to freshen the air in a delicious room quickly.
Odor eliminators
Odor eliminators use carbon filters to trap malodors, bacteria, and dust, leaving your room smelling clean and fresh. Most models have two settings to allow you to adjust the speed at which the device absorbs odors. If you have windowless rooms plagued with tobacco smoke, dirty laundry, or paint fumes coming, an odor eliminator can help.
Have a look at this odor eliminator on Amazon.
Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers work to remove moisture from the air by chemical attraction. Oftentimes, foul odors can come from an overabundance of humidity within a small space, creating a breeding ground of fungus and mold. A small dehumidifier combined with a disposable air freshener can make a world of difference.
Read more details about this dehumidifier on Amazon.
Homemade Air Freshener
Consider using baking soda to remove bad smells from your room. Baking soda is one of the best odor eliminators and absorbers that you can purchase. And for extra odor absorption, you can combine it with kitty litter or charcoal to help soak up strong smells in a windowless room. To use it, simply place the baking soda in a large bowl under a bed or in a closet.
Check out this baking soda on Amazon.
Can I run just the fan on my AC?
You can activate the internal fan mode on your air conditioner to make it cooler in a room. This can, however, raise your utility bill and cause your filter to become clogged faster than it normally would. And if the room is windowless, this can create the ideal environment for mold and mildew due to the increased humidity levels. A better idea is to use the auto feature on your air conditioner to keep the room cool. Not only will it circulate new air, but it can help you save on coolant costs.
Does air circulate better with the door open or closed?
When you turn on your heat or air conditioning, leaving the door open or closed can make a difference in the room temperature. When a door is left closed while the HVAC system is running, it creates pressurized air within the room. This being stated, the room air will circulate more than it would if the door were open. Opening the door will help to circulate the air within a room better.
Wrapping Things Up
We hope this post has been helpful and illustrating a few ways that you can circulate air within a windowless room. The easiest and quickest way to circulate the air within the room is to open the door and add a couple of portable fans to the room.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts: