Despite the flurry of beautiful white snow associated with falling temperatures, maintaining good indoor air quality is actually a lot harder during winter. This is because of dry heated air and reduced ventilation, among other things. Often overlooked, this is a crucial consideration since most people tend to spend more time indoors when it gets too cold outside. Let’s take a look at why indoor air quality is often worse in winter and what you can do to improve it.
Poor Indoor Air Quality Can Make You Sick
During the winter, most homeowners take a good look at their insulation — closing up gaps to improve heating comfort inside. The downside to great insulation is reduced ventilation, which means contaminants cannot escape quite as easily — ultimately causing the spread of viruses, mold, and bacteria that can make a lot of people in your family sick. Low temperatures and humidity levels are known to make viruses more infectious, which is why it’s also important to find ways to improve circulation and ventilation in your home.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality During Winter
There are a few things you can do to improve the quality and air filtration of your indoor environment. One way to manage the problem is to clean and wipe down surfaces as much as possible to remove pollutants from the house. But this might not always be a practical solution.
You could consider installing a HEPA filter or heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to introduce fresh air into your home. An HRV works by removing heat from the air that leaves your home and introduces it to the cool air entering your home. A HEPA filter works by keeping out the pollutants (filtering them), which can also help to improve indoor air quality.
You may also require full duct and vent cleaning — especially the ducts are clogged — to remove dust and debris. This is best handled by professionals equipped with the right tools and equipment to do a thorough job.
Call the Professionals to Help You Make the Right Choice
Knowing the right solution to improve the indoor air quality in your home can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for. Call the Hutchinson team today to learn more!