Cool winter temperatures in the Dallas, TX area can force homeowners to spend more time indoors. Because of this, it’s more important than ever to pay close attention to indoor air quality. Winter air tends to feel very dry and stale as humidity and temperatures drop. Our team at Cody & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air can help you address common indoor air quality concerns using purification, humidity control, and other methods.
Indoor Allergy Triggers
If you or someone in your home is prone to allergies, winter can be a difficult time of year. Many people associate allergies with outdoor pollen, but there are several indoor triggers that can cause uncomfortable symptoms. Dust, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores are just some of the contaminants that can cause sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes.
If you have a high level of relative humidity in your home, this can increase the risk of mold growth. A high presence of particulate matter is also common when humidity is high. Moisture allows contaminants to be suspended easily in the air.
Filtration vs. Purification: What’s the Difference?
While filtration and purification both remove contaminants from the air, they have some distinct differences. For example, filtration removes larger particles from the air. Filtration can protect the interior components of your HVAC system and support indoor air quality to some extent. Filters, such as high-efficiency particulate air filters or pleated varieties, trap particulates as they circulate. Unless you’re using a form of upgraded filtration, such as activated carbon, you won’t be able to remove things like volatile organic compounds using filtration alone.
The process of purification can remove very small contaminants, including pollutants and pathogens. Various methods of purification can be used in your home, including UV light sanitization and ionizing technology.
If you’ve used a portable air purifier to improve indoor air quality, you should consider the use of a whole-home model. This equipment installs on your HVAC system and removes contaminants during normal operation. Our team can help you decide on the perfect system for your home and perform annual maintenance on this equipment as well.
Consider MERV Ratings
Most filters are rated using the minimum-efficiency reporting value. A residential HVAC system benefits from a filter that has a rating between 8 and 12 MERV. If you use a filter that is higher than 12, this can restrict airflow. This restriction can lead to system strain, more frequent repairs, and a shorter system lifespan. There is also the potential for your home to feel uncomfortable due to hot or cold spots. Our team can help you determine the best filter option for your indoor air quality needs.
Ideal Winter Humidity & How to Maintain It
The relative humidity level in your home should be between 35% to 50%, regardless of the season. If it’s wintertime, you may find it beneficial to keep your indoor humidity closer to the 50% point. Moist air tends to feel warmer than it is. In the winter months, this can reduce the amount of time that you need to run your heating equipment. Not only will you feel more comfortable with higher levels of humidity, but you can reduce your heating bills with this method as well.
Because the air in Northern Texas can be very dry in the wintertime, you may need to add moisture. A whole-home humidifier is a great option. This equipment installs onto your HVAC system and adds moisture to the air as it is heated (or cooled in the summer). You can easily control your whole-home humidifier using a smart thermostat. Some smart thermostats are equipped with a hygrometer, which provides you with real-time humidity readings on your smart device.
Duct Hygiene and Home Habits That Help IAQ
Debris can accumulate in your ductwork over time. This debris can impact the efficiency of your HVAC system and diminish your indoor air quality. Ideally, we recommend scheduling a routine duct cleaning every three to five years. Allergy sufferers or people with pets should consider more frequent duct cleaning.
Keep all vents and registers open to allow for ample airflow. Keeping them closed will impact circulation and comfort but also strain your HVAC system.
Changing Your Filter
Change the filter in your HVAC system once every 30 to 90 days. This is another scenario where changing or replacing the filter more frequently is beneficial for those sensitive to indoor air quality.
The Use of Natural Products
Avoid using cleaning products that contain chemicals. These chemicals can cause symptoms like dizziness, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Instead, turn to natural-based products with essential oils.
Avoid Smoking Indoors
If you or someone in your home smokes, do so outside the residence. Exposure to cigarette smoke is extremely dangerous and toxic.
Consider Building Material Quality
If you are going to be doing remodeling work in your home, consider using greener building materials. Avoiding introducing VOCs into your home is ideal. There are plenty of low-VOC paints, countertops, carpets, and flooring available. Also, consider doing the work during spring or summer, when you can ventilate the space easily.
Adopt House Plants
Bring some plants into your home to naturally purify the air. Several varieties can do a great job of keeping your indoor air fresh, including different ivy species, aloe vera, and golden pothos.
Ventilate Your Home
Ensure you’re promoting a healthy exchange of air between the inside and outside of your home. If the weather is mild outside, opening the windows and doors to air out your space for 15 minutes per day is beneficial. In the winter, it’s more difficult to allow fresh air inside your home because it’s so cold. However, you can use things like exhaust fans to get rid of stale air. These fans are likely in your kitchen and bathroom already. Run them when you’re cooking, bathing, or cleaning. You can also invest in ventilation equipment that you have installed in your attic, basement, and other problematic areas. Certain equipment, such as heat recovery ventilators, removes stale air while retaining some heat to keep your home efficiently warm.
Don’t Forget About Your Plumbing System
Keep up with routine inspections and maintenance for your plumbing system. If you have any leaks present, this moisture will impact your relative humidity and potentially promote the growth of mold. Structural damage is also a concern. Schedule an annual appointment with an experienced plumber.
Cody & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air can help you with all your indoor air quality needs. Our team can perform a routine duct cleaning as well as install air filtration equipment. Contact us to schedule your annual HVAC appointment and to learn more about the importance of indoor air quality in Dallas.
