When temperatures drop and winter sets in, many of us retreat indoors, seeking the cozy warmth of our homes. While this offers much-needed comfort, it can also lead to stagnant indoor air. Without proper ventilation, pollutants, allergens, and moisture buildup can compromise your home’s indoor air quality, leaving you feeling anything but refreshed. The good news? You can combat these issues and enjoy cleaner, healthier air this winter by taking a few strategic steps.
Enhance Ventilation to Combat Stale Air
One of the first steps to improving indoor air quality in winter is addressing ventilation. With windows and doors tightly sealed against the cold, fresh air has limited access to your home. Consider these solutions to keep air flowing:
- Use Exhaust Fans: In areas like the kitchen and bathroom, exhaust fans help remove moisture, odors, and airborne particles. Ensure these fans are clean and functioning properly.
- Invest in an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV): An ERV system brings fresh air into your home while minimizing heat loss. It’s a great way to balance comfort and air quality in colder months.
- Crack a Window Periodically: Even opening a window for just a few minutes a day can help circulate fresh air and push out stale air.
Maintain Ideal Indoor Humidity Levels
Dry indoor air is a common winter problem that can affect your health and home. On the flip side, you don’t usually have to worry about excessive moisture leading to mold growth and dust mites. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention to your home’s humidity levels at all. Instead, make sure you maintain the ideal indoor humidity in the winter for your home’s air quality. What is this ideal humidity range? You should aim for levels between 30-50% to achieve good air quality.
One of the best ways to manage humidity during the winter is to use a humidifier. Adding moisture to the air can alleviate dryness, reducing issues like dry skin, sore throats, and static electricity. Choose a humidifier that’s easy to clean to avoid introducing bacteria into the air, or consider a whole-home humidifier for the best results.
Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned
Your HVAC system’s ductwork could be one of the biggest culprits of poor indoor air quality in winter. Over time, dust, pet dander, mold, and other contaminants accumulate in the ducts and recirculate throughout your home. Plan for an air duct cleaning service before the peak winter season to ensure your system operates efficiently and delivers clean air throughout your home. Are you already in the midst of winter? Don’t wait to schedule an appointment — it’s never too late to get your ductwork cleaned.
Cleaning your air ducts removes built-up debris, improves airflow, and reduces allergens. This is especially important if you’ve noticed an increase in respiratory issues or unexplained odors.
Replace Your Home’s Air Filters
The filters in your HVAC system play a critical role in trapping airborne particles. However, not all filters are created equal. So, when it’s time to replace the filters in your home, look for ones with a high MERV rating (between 8-13). These are more effective at capturing small particles like pollen, dust, mold spores, and other indoor air pollutants.
Also, you should keep a close eye on the air filters during the winter season. When your heating system runs frequently, the filters trap more pollutants and may need to be replaced every month versus the standard 3-month turnaround time.
Consider an Air Purification System
One of the best ways to improve indoor air quality is to install a whole-home air purifier. These systems use advanced technology like UV light or HEPA filtration to neutralize bacteria, viruses, and allergens, providing a significant boost to indoor air quality. Ask the team at Curtis Total Service about an air purification system installation today.
Reduce Indoor Pollutants
Common household products and activities can contribute to indoor air pollution. Take steps to minimize pollutants wherever possible:
- Switch to Eco-Friendly Products: Use non-toxic cleaning supplies and low-VOC paints and materials.
- Ventilate When Cooking: Gas stoves can emit carbon monoxide and other harmful gases. Always use a range hood or open a window when cooking.
- Control Pet Dander: Regularly groom your pets and vacuum with a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner to reduce dander.
Add Greenery to Your Home
Houseplants do more than brighten up a room; they also act as natural air purifiers. Some plants, like spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants, can help reduce toxins in the air. Just be sure to care for them properly to prevent mold growth in the soil.
Address Persistent Odors With Natural Solutions
If your home feels stuffy or smells stale, it’s time to tackle the problem. Of course, you must be careful about how you go about this. You will only worsen your home’s air quality by using air fresheners and candles full of harsh chemicals. Instead, consider using baking soda or diffused essential oils to freshen the air.
Let Us Help Improve Your Home’s Air Quality This Winter
When you’re trying to determine how to improve indoor air quality in the winter, it can feel impossible to know where to start. Fortunately, our team at Curtis Total Service is here to offer a helping hand. We can evaluate your home’s air quality and determine the best steps forward so that you and your family can breathe cleaner, healthier air. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help reduce indoor air pollution in your home this winter season.