Indoor Air Quality in Winter
Illnesses like the flu and common cold are more common in winter, and that’s because we’re spending more time indoors. Viruses, bacteria, and allergens enter your home on your hands and clothing. Then they can get trapped inside your home, circulating through your HVAC system and making it more likely that you get sick. You may even think that you have a common cold when it’s really your allergies flaring up from pollen, pet dander, and dust mites in your air.
Air Filters Working Overtime
The air filter inside your HVAC unit does a great job of removing larger particles from your air. But it can only do so much to prevent smaller particles. Most residential air filters aren’t rated for the microscopic particles that really threaten your health. Our team can check and see what type of air filter you’re using and may be able to recommend one that is better for your needs.
Improving Indoor Air Quality in Winter
Our team can also recommend a whole-home air purifier to tackle all of the concerns listed above. An air purifier can destroy those microscopic particles that your regular air filter can’t help with. This is the best way to improve your indoor air quality in winter. You can conserve your heat and avoid opening windows and doors on the coldest days while still eliminating contaminants.
And since dry air is a common problem in winter, you may want to consider a humidifier, too. While a humidifier cannot help with air quality when it comes to allergens and dust, it can help with how your air feels. Dry air feels colder, so even when your HVAC system is working overtime, you may not feel as warm as you want to. A humidifier adds some moisture to the air so you feel warmer.
And the benefits of a humidifier don’t stop at how you feel. Viruses and bacteria tend to spread easier in dry air. When you invest in a humidifier, you also lessen your chances of getting sick. Like air purifiers, you can purchase a small plug-in humidifier that helps you in a single room. But a whole-home humidifier can help you control the humidity across your entire home.