When the weather gets cold, staying indoors becomes a priority. Unfortunately, if the air quality is less than ideal, you’ll end up with other problems unrelated to the temperature. While a functional HVAC system is integral to maintaining clean indoor air, it’s not the only factor. Here are some simple steps you can take around the home to supplement your heating unit.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality During the Cold Season

1. Vacuum & Dust Regularly

At least once a week, tackle dust and dirt around the house. Doing so will minimize the accumulation of pollen, dust, pet dander, and any other allergens in the carpet and on hard-surface floors. If you have active kids or shedding pets, you may need to take on this chore every few days

2. Install a Humidifier

To provide comfort and prevent mold growth, the humidity in the room should ideally be somewhere between 30% and 50%. Unfortunately, during winter, the air gets drier. For many, it becomes irritating to the eyes, nasal passages, throat, and skin.

If your indoor humidity is on the lower end of this range, you may want to have a whole-house humidifier installed to rectify the solution. Not only will it ease these symptoms all winter long, but it will also lower utility bills since humidity makes the air feel warmer.

3. Regularly Replace the Air Filter

A clean air filter will catch the vast majority of irritants that try to get into your ductwork. Furthermore, it will maximize airflow to keep your HVAC system running smoothly and minimize the likelihood of needing repairs. The filter should be replaced every season, but households with pets and family members with respiratory conditions may benefit from swapping it out every four to six weeks.

4. Clean the Ducts

Even if you always have a clean air filter, however, the indoor air quality will suffer if the ducts themselves are dusty and dirty. Additionally, the high levels of humidity during the summer might have created an environment that’s ideal for mold or mildew growth. Thorough duct cleaning requires special equipment, so it’s best to leave this task to professional HVAC technicians.

5. Schedule an Air Quality Inspection

Finally, it pays to get a professional’s perspective. They’ll let you know what’s going on with the air quality in your home, whether it’s an issue of a dirty or inefficient furnace, excessive allergens, unbalanced humidity, or the possible presence of mold.

If your home’s indoor air quality has been less than ideal, Anderson Automatic Heating & Cooling will help. Based in Cincinnati, OH, they’ve provided reliable HVAC services for more than 85 years. Not only do they offer essential repairs and installations, but they also provide thorough air quality inspections and highly efficient whole-home humidifiers. Learn more about their HVAC services on their website and call (513) 574-0005 to schedule an estimate.