On average, we spend 90 percent of our time indoors. While we like to believe that the air we breathe inside our homes is cleaner than the outdoor air, the opposite is true. Indoor air can contain pollutants at concentrations 2 to 5 times, and sometimes even up to 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. Surprisingly, it has been shown that 87% of American homeowners are unaware that their indoor air might be worse than outdoor air. If you, too, are concerned about your indoor air quality this winter, here are things you can do to make it better.
Signs you have poor indoor air quality
Poor indoor air quality can cause a multitude of problems. Signs of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) include recurring health issues like headaches, fatigue, coughing, sneezing, and eye/throat irritation. These symptoms tend to get better when you leave the space. You might also notice persistent musty odors, excessive dust, mold growth, high humidity, or stuffy/stagnant air, all of which can indicate mold, VOCs, or poor ventilation.
Tips to improve indoor air quality this winter
Upgrade Your HVAC Filters
Start with the basics: your furnace filter. Cheap fiberglass ones let fine particles slip through, but upgrading to pleated MERV 11 or 13 filters traps more dust, pet dander, and pollen without straining your system. Check and swap every 1-3 months, more if you have pets or wood-burning fireplaces kicking up ash. Chard’s techs recommend this first step during tune-ups; a clean filter alone can slash airborne irritants by half.
Increase Ventilation Strategically
In cold months, natural ventilation often takes a back seat to energy efficiency. However, stale air can accumulate quickly, especially in well-insulated homes. Opening windows for just 5–10 minutes a day—even in winter—can exchange indoor air with fresh outdoor air and help reduce the concentration of pollutants. For spaces where opening windows isn’t feasible, consider using energy-recovery ventilators (ERVs) or heat-recovery ventilators (HRVs). These systems bring in fresh air while retaining heat, balancing comfort and air quality.
Balance the Humidity
Winter air is notoriously dry. When the air in your home drops below 30% humidity, it doesn’t just cause itchy skin and chapped lips; it also dries out your nasal passages, which are your body’s natural defense against viruses. Furthermore, many viruses actually thrive and travel more easily in dry air.
However, you don’t want to overcompensate. Too much humidity (above 50%) can lead to mold growth behind furniture or in closets. A whole-home humidifier, integrated into your Chard & Son heating system, is the “set it and forget it” solution to keep your home in that “Goldilocks zone” of 35-45% humidity all winter long.
Watch the “Winter Scents”
We all love the smell of a pine-scented candle or a crackling fireplace on a snowy evening, but these are major contributors to indoor air pollution. Candles and incense release soot and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Wood-burning fireplaces, while charming, release fine particulate matter that can irritate the respiratory system.
If you do use these, try to limit their use to short periods, and ensure your fireplace flue is drawing correctly. To naturally freshen the air, try simmering a pot of water on the stove with cinnamon sticks and orange peels. It smells like the holidays without the chemical byproduct.
Is your home’s air feeling a bit stale or dry this season? Give Chard & Son a call today to schedule an indoor air quality assessment. We’ll help you find the perfect solution. From whole-home humidifiers to advanced UV purifiers, so your family can breathe comfortably and stay healthy all winter long.
