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With colder winter weather in DeKalb County, AL, people spend more time indoors, keeping doors and windows closed. This practice, combined with tight seals to keep out cold temperatures, can lead to poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Indoor pollutants can adversely affect your health, contributing to respiratory illnesses and other issues. By making a few simple changes to your HVAC system, you can enjoy healthier indoor air this winter.
What Causes Poor IAQ?
Common indoor air pollutants increase in winter because your home experiences fewer air exchanges between the interior and exterior. This allows pollutants to accumulate more quickly as your HVAC system recirculates the same air. Trapped allergens combine with particles from fireplaces and gas heating systems, which may emit harmful combustion byproducts.
Dust, mold spores, chemical vapors from cleaning products, bacteria, and viruses become more prevalent in indoor spaces during winter. Smoke from tobacco products adds to the mix, while pet dander tends to accumulate. Dry air keeps dust airborne longer, irritating eyes, skin, and sinuses. These issues have the greatest impact on children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions, making it essential to take a proactive approach to maintaining better IAQ.
How Poor IAQ Affects You
Indoor air quality can deteriorate gradually. At first, you may not notice the effects. However, as winter progresses and your home remains closed up, symptoms often become more noticeable.
- Frequent coughing or sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Dry throat
- Itchy skin
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Frequent headaches
- Worsening allergy symptoms
How Your HVAC System Can Help Improve Indoor Air Quality
When properly maintained, your HVAC system can help remove many of the indoor pollutants that make you and your family uncomfortable or ill. However, it cannot do so alone. Your HVAC system needs regular maintenance and professional service to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Change Your Air Filter Frequently
Your system’s air filter is the first line of defense against indoor air pollutants. When the filter becomes clogged, more particles circulate throughout your home. Replace the filter every 30 to 45 days during winter due to increased particulate buildup. Free-flowing air is not only cleaner but can also improve energy efficiency since your system won’t have to work as hard.
Schedule Regular Heating Maintenance
One of our trained HVAC technicians should inspect and clean your system before the height of the heating season. However, even if you’re late, this service can still significantly reduce dust and pollutants circulating through your home. We will inspect components, replace the filter, clean coils, and ensure proper ventilation.
Schedule Duct Cleaning
Another service that improves IAQ is duct cleaning. As your HVAC system operates, dust, dirt, and other particles often settle along duct walls and accumulate over time. Regular duct cleaning helps keep your air cleaner year-round, especially during winter.
Other Steps to Consider
Keeping your home clean through regular dusting and vacuuming will also help maintain indoor air quality. Bryant’s Heating & Cooling can also provide additional IAQ services to further improve your winter air quality. Because heating systems can dry out the air and keep particulates suspended, consider adding a humidifier. With proper humidity levels, you may experience relief from dry skin, chapped lips, and sinus irritation. Cold and flu symptoms may feel less severe. Increased humidity can also make your home feel warmer, potentially lowering energy bills.
If your home still shows extremely high levels of indoor pollutants, an indoor air cleaner may be a smart option. These devices pick up where standard air filters leave off by trapping odors and helping reduce mold, pollen, bacteria, and viruses. It’s an ideal solution for families concerned about the quality of the air they breathe. Your technician can install an air purifier directly into your HVAC system to provide whole-home coverage.
Clean air, adequate ventilation, and reliable HVAC performance are essential to your indoor comfort. Bryant’s Heating & Cooling can help with a variety of indoor comfort concerns all year long. Along with indoor air quality services, we are your trusted company for HVAC repair, maintenance, and installation. Contact our office today to start improving your indoor air quality or to schedule another service.
