Easy Ways You Can Your Improve Indoor Air Quality This Winter

The cold temperatures in winter can put you and your family at risk of respiratory diseases. According to Harvard Health Publishing, stale indoor air and heating systems can increase the amount of allergy-inducing dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores circulating through your house. Making an effort to improve your indoor air quality at home can help prevent the spread of winter diseases among your family members.

Here are 5 ways you can increase indoor air quality during the winter months:

Keep your indoor spaces clean.

A clean home is a healthy home. If you have carpets and rugs at home, be sure to use a HEPA filter vacuum to clean them. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a HEPA vacuum is a vacuum cleaner designed with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter as the last filtration stage. These vacuums can thoroughly clean your indoors, unlike non-HEPA vacuum filters that send allergens back to the air. Using natural cleaning products is also ideal as it can help protect your family from exposure to harsh chemicals.

Replace dirty air filters.

The main function of HVAC air filters is to clean and filter the air inside your home. They trap air contaminants that can put your family’s health at risk, including dust and dirt, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander. When the filters get too dirty, they will cease to function well, affecting the air quality inside your home. According to the United States Department of Energy, replacing a dirty, clogged filter can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

Let the fresh air in.

Proper ventilation plays a vital role in removing impurities from the air inside your home. In winter, most doors and windows in your home will be closed to keep the cold out. That can trap the pollutants in your indoors, even allowing them to keep building up. The only way to let out the bad air is to open a window from time to time.

Grow indoor plants.

Indoor plants are natural air purifiers. A study conducted by NASA discovered that houseplants can absorb harmful toxins from the air. Growing indoor plants can help remove household chemicals that come from carpets, cleaning solutions, and synthetic materials such as rubbers and plastics. According to Healthline, among the plant species that can effectively clean indoor air are bamboo palm, rubber tree,  fern, spider plant, and ficus tree.

Upgrade your heating system.

A highly efficient heating system will not only keep your home warm and comfortable in winter but also improve your indoor air quality. The right heater type and quality heater installation can help ensure your heating system’s optimal functioning throughout the year.

For the installation of newer, high-efficiency heaters, do not hesitate to ask for help from the pros. A heating company with many years of industry experience can best help you when it comes to finding the right unit for your home. Find a trustworthy HVAC company you can partner with today!