How To Improve You Indoor Air Quality During The Winter
During the summer, chances are, you don’t think about the air quality in your home. This is because you can simply open the windows to ventilate the home on a regular basis. When it is cold outdoors, opening the windows is not really an option. This can make it difficult to get fresh air into your home when you need it. Consequently, when you are unable to open the windows to let fresh air into your home, the old stale air will circulate throughout it.
Because it is more important to be warm…
you will be forced to reduce your indoor air quality standards in your home. Stale air can lead to respiratory issues and more sickness between household members. It is vital to have fresh air and to stay warm at the same time. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to improve indoor air quality in your Lehighton PA home and stay warm during the cold winters. In this article, we will discuss some tips that you can use to improve your air quality even when it is extremely cold out.
Clean Your HVAC Registers And Vents
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The dust in your home constantly circulates through your HVAC system. Even if you dust your home on a daily basis, this problem will still occur. To reduce the amount of dust that circulates through your HVAC unit, you can use the wand attachment on your vacuum cleaner around the unit and vents to decrease the amount of dust that will move throughout the home. Recent studies that publish research on indoor air quality facts claim that this is a great way to improve the quality of the air in your home.
Use A Humidifier
When your windows are closed and your heat is on, it can cause the air in the home to become dry.
Since a dry environment doesn’t feel as warm…
you may turn up the heat to compensate. To moisten up the air inside the house, you can use a humidifier. A moist environment feels much warmer than a dry one because dry air doesn’t carry heat as well. A decent model is relatively inexpensive and they are not costly to run.
Replace The Filters
It is important that you check your air filters for dirt and debris often. If you find that the filters are clogged with dirt and debris, change them immediately. It is best to check the filters on a monthly basis. Since every home is different, you should make it a habit to check your filters often. This is because some homes require a filter replacement more often than others, especially homes with pets or homes that have construction nearby. Check your filters all year long. However, it is especially important during the winter. When the home is airtight, the filters clog up faster.
Crack A Window
It is a good idea to crack a window in the house occasionally, even if it is cold outside. Letting in a small amount of fresh air can do wonders for the air quality in your home. This is especially true if it has been airtight for weeks or months. Because leaving a window open will put added strain on your furnace and results in more expensive heating costs, you should only leave the window open about an inch or two for a short period of time.
Get Some Green Houseplants
If you place several green, lush houseplants in your home…
it will reduce the amount of carbon monoxide and benzene in your home. This will improve the air quality. Since the air quality in the home can greatly affect your health, houseplants are a great investment during any season. Not only do houseplants improve the air quality of the home, they can add style and flair to the area where you place them. There have also been studies that have shown that having houseplants in the home can reduce your stress level. If you have a green thumb, houseplants are a welcome addition to your home. Even if you don’t think you have a green thumb, the winter is a good time to cultivate it.
The Importance Of Regular Maintenance
It is important that you schedule a yearly tune-up for your furnace. When the heater is off, dust, dirt, and all indoor air pollution sources can accumulate in the system and then circulate throughout the house. During the routine maintenance, the tech will clear out all of the contaminants in the heater, which will improve the air quality in the home. Also, when the HVAC system is tuned up, it will work more efficiently. This will ensure that the home will be warm during the winter and it will keep your heating bill down. When it comes to hiring someone to service your HVAC system, you should only work with a reputable company.
Indoor Air Quality Lehighton PA
You don’t need to deal with poor air quality during the winter. To ensure that there is clean air circulating throughout the home, you should hire a professional to clean and maintain your furnace. This will keep the home warm, keep your energy bills down, and increase the lifespan of the furnace.
To schedule a furnace tune-up in your area, contact R.F. Ohl. Our NATE certified technicians can tune up your heater and improve the air quality in your home. During the tune-up, the tech can give you further suggestions to help improve the air quality in your home. It is important to schedule heater maintenance on an annual basis. If you have not had one yet this season, be sure to schedule one now. To schedule an appointment, contact us today.
Some of the areas we service include: Ashfield, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Parryville, and these zip codes: 18212, 18229, 18235, 18244 as well as all surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.