An HVAC technician’s job is to ensure that you and your family are comfortable and safe in your home, no matter the temperature outside. This can be especially challenging during the cold winter months.
Not only do you have to make sure your family is warm enough with a reliable heating system, but you also have to worry about stale air, humidity issues, and pollutants. Here are a few tips to help you breathe better and improve your overall indoor air quality.
Common Indoor Air Problems During the Winter
When it gets cold outside, you need to ensure that your home is comfortable and cozy, keeping you healthy and safe all season long. Brisk weather can lead to respiratory issues, damage to property, increased energy bills from heating system usage, and other drawbacks. When faced with troubles, it’s best to address these issues with proper solutions.
Low Humidity
A lack of humidity is one of the biggest problems we see during the winter. In the colder months, we seal our homes up tight against the cold and run our furnaces throughout the entire season. The combination of these two activities creates a drop in humidity. While our homes are warm, they are too dry. Not sure if your home is lacking humidity? Look for these signs:
- Static Shock
- Dry, Itchy Skin
- Nose Bleeds
- Sore Throats
- Dry Mouth
- Chapped Lips
- Persistent Coughs
- Allergy Symptoms
- Cracks in Wood Molding and Furniture
- Gaps in Wood Floors
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
Besides humidity issues, our homes are filled with uninvited pollutants. There are many contaminants that can cause harm to you and your family, including:
- Gas Fumes
- Pet Dander
- Dust Mites
- Mildew and Mold
These contaminants can lead to health issues and expensive repair services. That is why it is important to have your heating and air conditioning systems thoroughly inspected and cleaned by professionals each year.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home
Here are a few key tips for improving the quality of your home’s indoor air.
1. Perform Duct and Dryer Vent Cleaning
By effectively removing dust and other contaminants from your air ducts, you can save on monthly energy bills and help your equipment last longer. Our skilled and experienced technicians at Home Comfort Experts use industrial-grade equipment during our air duct cleaning services, so you can enjoy the benefits of a thorough cleaning.
When lint or dust builds up in your dryer vent, you risk the start of a fire. We provide dryer vent cleaning services to Indiana and Michigan residents, so you can safely clean your clothes.
2. Install a Humidifier
If you’re experiencing any of the issues that low humidity can lead to, you need to install a whole-house humidifier. These units will assess your home’s humidity level and distribute warm mist when humidity needs to be increased. Some of the benefits of a humidifier include:
- Relief of dry skin, chapped lips, and nasal passages.
- Reduced static electricity.
- Eased respiratory issues and throat irritation.
- Reduced risk of cracking of wooden furniture and flooring.
- Reduced airborne viruses and bacteria risk.
3. Install Air Filters
Besides humidity, pollutants can make your indoor air aggravating to breathe. Air filters are devices that will remove pollutants from the air, allowing you to live in a more sanitary environment. There are several different types of air filters that will effectively remove these pollutants, including:
- HEPA Air Filtration: This is a hospital-grade air cleaner. This model has the highest air filtration possible and removes contaminants down to 0.3 microns at a 99.97 percent efficiency.
- High-Efficiency Media Air Cleaner: This unit removes small breathable particles to one micron.
- Electronic Air Cleaner: An electronic air cleaner removes small breathable particles and other bioaerosols down to one micron.
- UV Light: An ultraviolet air disinfection system is another weapon against bad air in our arsenal. This is an ultraviolet light you can attach inside your duct work that kills bacteria, viruses, mold, fungi, and other living microorganisms.
Don’t take the risk of health issues by fostering poor indoor air quality. We at Home Comfort Experts are dedicated to ensuring a safe and cozy environment for you and your family.
Contact us today in Indiana or Michigan at (574) 319-9241 and ask us how we can improve your indoor air quality.