How Winter Affects Indoor Air Quality
With the arrival of winter, you will likely spend more time inside relaxing. While the home's HVAC system ensures you are warm and comfortable, the increased usage and time spent inside can decrease the indoor air quality of the property. This is because less fresh air is entering the home, which can have negative effects on your health. Below is more information about this issue and how to prevent it.
What Are Common Indoor Air Quality Issues?
During winter, you likely close the windows and doors to seal the property and prevent air leaks that reduce the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. While improving insulation around the doors and windows helps the home stay warmer, this also means that airborne contaminants cannot exit the house as easily. This allows them to recirculate through the HVAC system, causing you to breathe them in repeatedly.
For example, pet dander, mold, mildew, and dirt are common contaminants that can cause allergy-like reactions if you inhale them. If you have a fireplace, you may also be exposed to more smoke or carbon monoxide, which can be dangerous. Additionally, many common cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds. These molecules are released into the air, and they contribute to an unhealthy atmosphere. This can lead to nausea, headaches, and dizziness.
How Can You Improve the Home's Indoor Air Quality?
The most effective way to combat poor indoor quality in winter is to increase the home's ventilation. Removing stale air and allowing fresh air inside prevents pollutants from accumulating to levels that affect your health and comfort. Since opening your doors and windows can make the home much colder, invest in mechanical ventilation devices, such as outdoor-vented fans, to release stuffy air.
Also, replace the HVAC system's air filter. Over time, this screen collects considerable dust and debris, and when it is clogged, it cannot remove future contaminants from the air. Generally, you should swap this component once every three months. If you have several pets in the home or host gatherings regularly, replace the filter once a month.
Finally, clean the home at least once a week to remove dust and dirt. Vacuum the carpets thoroughly to remove debris that is stuck in the fibers, and wipe the vents and registers with a microfiber cloth. Also, look for signs of excess moisture inside the home, such as condensation on the windows and discolored paint. High humidity contributes to mold growth, which is a harmful substance.
If you are in need of service or preventative maintenance on your current HVAC system please give us a call and we'd be glad to being the process of evaluating your needs along with your budget and coming up with a plan for your heating, cooling & air quality needs.
330.263.0013 or 330.359.7114
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