How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in the Winter
January 16, 2020Whether you are a fan of winter or not, it can be rough on our senses. Once the temperature drops and the heat comes on, the atmosphere inside your home can get dry and start feeling stale. You can’t always crack open a window to freshen things up, but there are some things you can do to help improve comfort and air quality. Here are a few tips on how to improve indoor air quality in the winter:
1. Clean Regularly to Remove Allergens
Keeping things clean inside can help improve your indoor air quality during the winter. Dusting and vacuuming regularly can keep allergens like dust, mites, and more from building up around the home.
Using a duster that traps dust and a vacuum with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter that avoids blowing dust back into the air is helpful. These can help you clean up and remove dust from surfaces instead of just moving it around and letting it escape into the air.
Because homes tend to stay closed up in the winter, it can also be a good idea to avoid cleaners with harsh chemicals or strong smells. It can be helpful to run ventilation fans while cleaning to help avoid breathing in potential irritants.
2. Check Air Ducts and Filters
When you’re heating and cooling your home, the state of your air ducts and filters can affect the indoor quality of your home. Dirt, dust, debris, moisture, and more can build up in ductwork over time, which is then transferred to your indoor air. The problem is compounded even more if your air filters are also dirty or outdated.
Inspecting your air ducts and filters regularly can help you keep an eye on anything that could contribute to poor indoor air quality. If it hasn’t been done in a while, it’s also a good idea to get your air ducts cleaned and make sure they are properly sealed.
Changing your filters regularly as needed can also contribute to better quality indoor air. If your filters are outdated, you can also improve your indoor air quality by upgrading to a higher quality filter. You want to look for something with a higher MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating than you have now. The higher the MERV rating on an air filter, the more efficient it should be at filtration.
3. Run a Humidifier
Indoor air is notoriously dry in the winter. Using a humidifier to add some humidity back into the air can help improve your indoor air quality. You don’t want to go overboard and add too much moisture into the air. However, running a humidifier periodically throughout the winter can help improve indoor air quality and make it a little bit easier on your nose.
4. Use an Air Purifier
Another way to improve indoor air quality in the winter and year-round is to use an air purifier. Getting the right one for your home depends on what you need to filter out and the room size. Some air purifiers are specifically for particulates, some are geared towards removing odors, and others are built for removing allergens, bacteria, and more.
5. Add Some Indoor Plants
Although some indoor plants only improve the air quality directly around them, adding some indoor plants can brighten up a room during the winter. In addition to their slight air-purifying qualities and looks, indoor plants can also add a sense of ease and relaxation to your home. You just need to be cautious of which ones you bring home if you have pets or children because many popular indoor plants are poisonous and can cause issues if ingested.
These are a few ways to improve indoor air quality in the winter. Hopefully, doing a few of them can help give your nose a break!
If no amount of cleaning, remodeling, or redecorating is making your house feel like your home, it may be time to consider a custom home. With a custom home, everything is designed and built to suit your needs, style, and taste. Contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090 to start bringing your dream home to life!