Homes are built to be energy efficient, keeping the heat out in summer and keeping heat in during winter. When winter approaches, homeowners prepare by tightly sealing cracks and windows that could allow cold air into their home. This results in reduced ventilation due to the improved air sealing and insulation. It also prevents any fresh air from entering the home, increasing the concentrations of pollutants and allergens in the home. Add in the fact that more time is spent indoors (hobbies and projects come inside), the increased use of scented candles and cleaning products, and your home's indoor air quality (IAQ) is greatly reduced. Trapping air inside your home leads to unhealthy conditions, which is why ventilation and other systems are so important to refresh indoor air and improve your home's winter indoor air quality.
According to the EPA, the air that we breathe in our homes, schools and offices can put us at risk for health problems. By improving your winter indoor air quality, you are working to reduce allergens such as mold spores, pollen, dust, pet dander and other impurities. So, what can you do to improve the indoor air quality in your home? Here are 5 tips that will keep you and your family comfortable and breathing a bit easier this winter.
Circulation: Circulation is a form of air replacement and is surprisingly beneficial during the winter months when you tend to keep your home sealed up. On a warmer winter day, allow some clean fresh air to enter and circulate throughout your home. This refreshes your indoor air quality, allowing the "trapped" allergens inside your home a chance to move outside.
Humidity: Adding humidity to the air is often the norm during the cold, dry months by use of humidifiers. However, many allergens, such as dust mites, mold, and bacteria thrive in overly humid conditions. It is important to keep the humidity level in your home in check, ideally around 35%-50%. If the humidity is too low, viruses maintain their infectious nature, too high and allergens multiply. Replace your humidifier filters with fresh humidifier pads or filters twice per season. Use bathroom exhaust fans to keep the moisture level down and keep an eye on basements and storage areas as well. These are ideal locations for potential moisture.
Smoke: Smoke from tobacco, fireplaces, cooking and even candles affects your winter indoor air quality (IAQ). Many of us love the scent of our favorite candle or sitting in front of the fireplace on a cold night, especially during the holidays, but they do not improve the quality of the air you breathe. This does not mean you shouldn't enjoy these things during those snowy days and nights, but that it is something to be aware of as smoke particles can be bothersome to anyone who suffers from respiratory conditions.
Air Filtration: Furnace filters are a huge help to improving winter indoor air quality beyond their basic purpose of just protecting your HVAC system. Filters add another level of defense by cleansing your air of impurities. Change your air filters regularly to allow your system to work optimally AND provide a new surface area to trap and collect dust and allergens.
Regular Cleaning: Maintaining a clean home will help keep the level of contaminants and dust in your home to a minimum. Once dust and allergens have settled, it is more difficult for them to be trapped by your furnace filter. When you clean, the area where the dust has settled is disturbed, re-dispersing the dust into the air, allowing for another opportunity to be captured. Unfortunately, dust always settles again and keeping it at bay is an ongoing battle. Regular cleaning of surfaces, dusting and vacuuming is the way to help tackle these issues and improve your IAQ!
No matter which HVAC system you have, every unit needs a quality filter that fits properly in order to keep your indoor air quality clean and your unit running at its maximum efficiency. US Home Filter can supply you with the best and most efficient HVAC filter available! Changing the filter is as important as changing the oil in your car and US Home Filter makes filters that fit all AC/HVAC units. From standard to custom air filters, to whole-house filters, grille filters and humidifier filters, we have all of your filter needs covered!
Selecting the filters that are just right for your home can be difficult and confusing at times. At US Home Filter we understand this, which is why we offer an experienced staff to help answer any questions you may have. For personal assistance with your air filter needs, please contact us now online or call us at (855) 237-1673 and we will do our very best to assist you in selecting the right filter for your individual needs. We want to earn your business and we guarantee your satisfaction! Take advantage of our quality products, vast selection, low prices, and enjoy FREE SHIPPING on every air filter order within the Contiguous USA.
