How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Winter
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Winter brings more than just cold air into our homes—it also brings germs and sickness, including the flu. During the colder, drier months, the flu virus spreads through the air from infected people who cough, sneeze, or talk. Droplets that spread through the air can even land on household surfaces. One touch of a contaminated surface—and bam, you may be infected.
In a post-pandemic world, many people are concerned with the best way to prevent flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses inside their homes. So, how do you improve indoor air quality during winter, and how do you prevent the flu at home?
Great questions. Understanding indoor air quality in winter is one of the most important steps homeowners can take to stay healthy and comfortable during flu season.
Why Is Air Quality Worse in Winter
Many homeowners ask, "Is air quality worse in winter?" Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Winter keeps us cooped up inside—all cozy, warm and locked up. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this lack of ventilation traps pollutants and viruses, reducing humidity. The result? Poor indoor air quality in winter.
Other things that can contribute to poor air include gas stoves, fireplaces, candles, and dirty air filters (which recirculate dust and allergens).
Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Not sure if your indoor air is suffering? There will be signs!
These include:
- Frequent headaches or fatigue
- Worsening allergies or asthma symptoms
- Dry throat, nose, or skin
- Lingering odors or stale air
- Excessive dust buildup
- Increased illness during the winter months
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Winter
If you're wondering how to improve indoor air quality in winter, the solution starts with your HVAC system, proper ventilation, and daily habits that reduce indoor pollutants. And A.J. Perri is here to help. If you've acknowledged that your indoor space is compromised, don't fret. Try these tips:
- Change your HVAC filter every three months (more if you have pets)
- Schedule professional air duct cleaning (especially if you notice excessive dust)
- Install air purifiers or consider a whole-home filtration system
- Use exhaust fans while cooking and showering
- Use natural cleaners over strong chemical ones
- Switch to burning soy candles over paraffin candles
Improving indoor air quality in winter starts with proper HVAC maintenance, regular filter changes, whole-home filtration, balanced humidity levels, and daily habits that reduce indoor pollutants.
Daily Habits That Reduce Indoor Air Pollutants in Winter
Practicing clean, smart habits every day can help keep your indoor space healthier. Here are some tips that may help:
- Remove shoes at the door to limit dirt and pollutants
- Vacuum weekly with a HEPA vacuum
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water during flu season
- Declutter to reduce dust accumulation
- Keep pets groomed regularly
- Avoid idling cars in attached garages
How to Prevent the Flu at Home
To prevent the flu inside your home, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing your hands often, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and getting vaccinated.
Try these tips, too:
- Swipe it — Regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, kitchen counters, and bathrooms helps reduce flu germs in the home and supports healthier indoor air quality during winter. Also, wash your hands.
- Light it — Ultraviolet (UV) light sanitation offers a chemical-free way to reduce bacteria and viruses on frequently used items, helping limit the spread of the flu while improving indoor air quality in winter.
- Catch it — Installing a whole-home air purifier or upgrading HVAC air filters can help capture airborne pollutants and viruses, making it easier to improve indoor air quality in winter. On warmer days, open the windows for a short while to let in fresh air.
- Wet it — Keeping indoor humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent with a humidifier can help reduce the survival of the flu virus in dry winter air while supporting better indoor air quality and comfort.
Ready to Improve Indoor Air Quality This Winter?
So, are you finally ready to improve indoor air quality in winter and learn how to prevent the flu at home? We can help!
Call A.J. Perri to schedule a winter HVAC tune-up to ensure your system is filtering and circulating air properly.