Is your home suffering the winter blues?
Yes, indoor air gets icky
We think of our homes as safe spaces, but indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Winter makes it worse. We shut windows and seal leaks, trapping pollutants inside our homes. Dust and odors are just the beginning. Zoom in and at a microscopic level you’ll see that your indoor air’s not a pretty sight at all.
But this is the air we breathe the most
Research suggests indoor pollutants are growing—all while people are spending about 90% of their time inside. Unfortunately, most buildings seal out the fresh air even though that ventilation could help dilute particulates from coughs, sneezes, cleaning products, tobacco, space heaters, scented candles, gas stoves and ovens, and more.
How to enjoy a more comfortable winter
Since most of us aren’t opening windows in January, here are five smart and simple ways to make your home’s indoor air more comfortable all season long.
- Replace your air filter monthly. High quality air filters improve your indoor air quality while helping protect your HVAC system.
- Use a humidifier. It’s the dry indoor air that causes a static shock. A cool mist humidifier can provide quick relief.
- Choose electric space heaters. Fireplaces emit harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Electric space heaters are a much cleaner option.
- Consider an air quality monitor. Indoor air quality monitors can alert you to the presence of allergens, mold, and other air pollutants.
- Consider an air cleaner. While not designed to remove gaseous pollutants, air cleaners can be highly effective at removing particulates from the air.
- Monitor your HVAC performance. You can conveniently monitor your home’s HVAC performance anytime right on your phone with the top-rated Sensi mobile app.
