Many people in Lenoir City, TN, are apprehensive about going outside during winter, but staying indoors doesn’t guarantee comfort and safety either. The air inside your home may be more polluted than the air outside, especially during the cold season. Here are five reasons this happens and what you can do to improve your indoor air quality:
Poor Air Circulation
During winter, people tend to keep their windows and doors closed to retain heat inside the house. While this helps to keep warm, it also leads to poor air circulation. As a result, harmful pollutants such as dust, pet dander and pathogens get trapped inside the house.
As a result, you get stale indoor air that triggers respiratory problems and allergy symptoms. To improve air circulation, try opening your windows for a few minutes each day, even if it’s for a brief period. You can also invest in an air purifier to help filter out pollutants and increase ventilation inside your home.
Dirty HVAC Filters
Winter is the season that calls for early preparation, which includes servicing, repairing and replacing your HVAC system. This is because this is the time you’ll use it most, and you want to ensure that it’s working efficiently. One crucial element of HVAC maintenance is regularly changing the filters.
Dirty filters can significantly affect your indoor air quality as they prevent proper airflow and trap pollutants. They also put a strain on your HVAC system, which can lead to breakdowns and costly repairs.
Dry Air
During winter, the cold air outside has less humidity, which means the air inside your home also becomes dry when you heat it up. This can lead to various uncomfortable symptoms, such as dry skin, nasal congestion and sore throat.
Consider investing in a humidifier. It helps to add moisture back into the air, making it more comfortable and healthier to breathe. Additionally, consider adjusting your thermostat to a lower temperature, especially in rooms you barely use, as higher temperatures lead to drier air. You will save some money on heating bills as an added advantage.
Combustion Sources
Oil, gas, kerosene, wood and coal-burning appliances affect indoor air quality. When they burn, they emit hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. And since windows and doors are often shut during winter, these gases concentrate inside your home and might lead to severe health problems.
You can’t do away with cooking or heating your home, so what you can do is to ensure that all combustion sources are in good working condition. Regularly service your heating system and appliances to prevent any carbon monoxide leaks.
On top of that, always use proper ventilation when using these sources of heat, especially in the kitchen. Open windows and use exhaust fans to allow fresh air into your home and keep the harmful gases at bay.
Lastly, consider investing in alternative heating sources such as electric or propane-powered appliances. They produce fewer pollutants compared to traditional combustion sources and are often more energy-efficient.
Too Much Insulation
It’s good to insulate your home not only for the harsh weather conditions but also for energy efficiency. However, too much insulation can lead to poor air quality in your home.
When a home is over-insulated, it becomes airtight. Pathogens, dust and allergens will find it hard to get out of your home; instead, they will grow and multiply, causing health problems.
Dealing with this issue will also require proper ventilation. You can also consider investing in an air purifier, which can help keep the air clean and free of pollutants.
The quality of air in your home directly impacts your comfort, productivity, health and overall well-being. Therefore, if you live around Lenoir City, TN, call Melton Heating and Air Conditioning today to learn about our home air quality solutions. In addition, we offer comprehensive services for heating and cooling systems, including repairs, maintenance and installations.
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