Indoor air pollutants are a year-round issue for many LaGrange, GA homeowners, but they often become especially problematic during colder weather. This winter season, follow these three simple principles to boost indoor air quality and ensure a healthy, comfortable home environment.
Ensure Adequate Ventilation
Indoor air quality in the average home can be several times worse than the surrounding environment, especially during the winter. This is partly because most houses are kept tightly sealed in cold weather to prevent air leaks. While this conserves heat and saves energy, it can also leave airborne pollutants no way to escape. To remedy this, consider installing a whole-home ventilation system. Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are especially well-suited to the local climate, providing plenty of fresh, clean air while also controlling moisture.
Watch Your Humidity Levels
Speaking of moisture, winter weather can also wreak havoc on your home’s humidity levels. Generally speaking, between 30% and 50% humidity is best for optimal indoor air quality. However, heating your home naturally decreases its relative humidity, making it harder to stay within this range. When it falls too low, you may notice dry skin and eyes, chapped lips, respiratory irritation and other symptoms of dry air. If this happens regularly, a whole-house humidifier can help you maintain healthy humidity levels even with the heat cranked up.
Invest in Cleaner Indoor Air
Ultimately, the easiest and most effective way to defend against winter’s many potential IAQ challenges is upgrading your home’s air filtration. Replacing filters on a regular basis is a great start, but a dedicated air purifier provides much broader protection against potentially dangerous pollutants. A sanitizing UV light is another highly effective tool for keeping contaminants out of your HVAC system. Not only do these germicidal lamps neutralize organic growth within your system, but they keep it from coming back.
If you’ve noticed an increase in allergies or illnesses in your family during the winter months, don’t wait any longer. Call Sensigreen Heating, Cooling & Insulation today for comprehensive indoor air quality solutions backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee!