Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. During the winter, this amount can be even higher. As you’ve likely heard before, the air inside your home can be significantly more polluted than the air outside. With the harsh winter weather, these conditions can be even worse. In much of the country, cold temperatures keep windows closed, meaning you are living and working in sealed environments that do not allow for the exchange of fresh air.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Winter is an ideal time to evaluate your indoor air quality, as it may be many months before you are able to comfortably open a window to let some fresh air in. What can you do to keep your home’s air as clean as possible?
Minimize Sources of Pollutants
Always—but especially during winter months—avoid spraying chemical cleaners, air fresheners, pesticides, or other synthetic materials in your home. These should always be sprayed in a well- ventilated area to minimize exposure, and this is not always possible during winter months.
Increase Ventilation
Most heating and cooling systems are not designed to circulate fresh air into your home. Instead they are closed-loop systems that simply circulate the air inside your home. To help keep your home well ventilated, you should consider using your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans. If you have attic or window fans, these are also a good way to help ventilate your home.
In the event that the weather is agreeable, opening the windows is recommended—especially if you are using products that introduce high amounts of pollutants into your home.
If you are planning to replace your heating system this winter, consider a unit that has air-to-air heat exchangers, which brings outdoor air into your home.
Control the Moisture Levels
Ideally you want to keep the humidity level in your home between 30 and 60 percent. This will help keep mold, mildew, and dust mites under control. Room-specific humidifiers and whole-house systems can usually do the trick.
If you are interested in whole-house humidifiers, contact us today for more information!
Clean Your Home Regularly
Regularly dusting and vacuuming your home will help minimize pollutants.
Change Your Air Filters Regularly
High-efficiency air filters are a great way to improve the air quality of your home. Leave the HVAC fan running at all times to have a constant flow of air through the home that is being filtered by your HVAC system.
Install a Whole-Home Air Purifier
Air purifiers can help remove allergens from the air, alleviating symptoms of asthma and common allergies associated with indoor air pollution, bacteria, dust, cigarette smoke, and mold particles. If you suffer from allergy symptoms, have asthma, or simply want cleaner air for you and your family, an air purifier may be a good investment for your home.
If you are interested in improving the air quality of your Scranton, PA area home this winter, contact T.E. Spall & Son to learn about our selection of indoor air quality products and services!
