Winter in New Hampshire means more time indoors, which brings challenges for your home’s air quality. Cold weather means windows are kept closed, reducing natural ventilation. Humidity, which should ideally be kept between 30% to 50%, is lower during the winter as the air dries out. This makes indoor air drier as well, especially as heavy use of the heating systems we use to stay cozy through the long New Hampshire winters dry out the air, even further. You can check your New Hampshire Indoor Air Quality at anytime by visiting this website.
Dust, pet dander, and allergens accumulate more than during the winter months, since humans and pets spending far more hours indoors. And even in our state, where pollution isn’t as bad as in many others, contamination from urban development and nearby farms can enter homes and become trapped.
Left unchecked, indoor air can feel extra stale during winter. At worst, it leads to discomfort like dry skin and hair, or health concerns like allergy flare-ups, respiratory issues like coughs and congestion, and more bacteria and viruses floating around. Addressing these issues proactively helps improve your indoor air quality and maintain a fresh and healthy home environment.
First Line of Defense: HVAC System Maintenance
A clean air filter is one of the simplest ways to improve indoor air quality. Over time, filters collect dust, pet hair, and airborne pollutants, restricting airflow and reducing efficiency. Standard HVAC filters should be replaced every one to three months, depending on usage and household conditions.
While HVAC filters are more meant to protect the system than improve indoor air quality, you can get even better results by shopping for filters that feature HEPA or electrostatic design. These capture smaller particles and improve overall air quality. However, not all filter types work with all HVAC systems, so you need to call a professional HVAC maintenance team to find the highest level of filtration that won’t interfere with your system’s operation.
Routine maintenance keeps it running efficiently and helps prevent the buildup of dust and allergens. Scheduling a professional HVAC inspection before winter ensures your system operates at peak performance. Cleaning ducts, checking for leaks, and inspecting vents contribute to better airflow and air quality throughout the season. Joining an HVAC maintenance plan makes it easy not to forget to get your tune-ups and offers savings and discounts as well.
Cleaning and Dusting
Regular cleaning reduces the buildup of dust, pet dander, and other allergens. Vacuuming carpets and rugs with a HEPA-filter vacuum traps fine particles and prevents them from recirculating in the air. Washing bedding, curtains, and upholstery frequently also minimizes allergens. If you have pets, grooming them regularly helps keep shedding under control.
Whole-House Air Filters and Purifiers
Whole-home air purifiers provide the most powerful form of protection against airborne contaminants. High-quality units equipped with HEPA filters remove fine particles, allergens, and even some bacteria from the air. Some advanced models also include activated carbon filters to reduce odors, gases, radon, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Integrating an air purifier with your HVAC system significantly improves overall air quality, especially for households with allergy sufferers or respiratory concerns. It even helps your HVAC system last longer by preventing dust and build-up.
UV lights installed within your HVAC system effectively neutralize airborne bacteria, mold spores, and viruses. These lights work by disrupting the DNA of harmful microorganisms, preventing them from multiplying without harming humans. Adding a UV purification system to your HVAC setup improves air quality by reducing microbial growth in ductwork and on coils, keeping your home healthier and your system more reliable during winter months.
UV lights for HVAC can neutralize biological contaminants like:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Mold and mildew spores
- Parasitic cysts
While portable air purification systems are available, they have many limitations. Although they can help improve air quality in a single room, their smaller size means they can only filter a limited amount of air, requiring multiple units to cover an entire house. They also need frequent filter changes and maintenance to remain effective. They also can’t offer a complete solution compared to whole-home purifiers, which can include methods to reduce all kinds of contamination rather than just a select few pollutants.
In contrast, whole-home air purification systems integrate with your HVAC system, continuously filtering and circulating clean air throughout your entire home. These systems capture more pollutants, including allergens, dust, and airborne contaminants, providing more consistent air quality. While portable units offer convenience, they lack the power and efficiency of a whole-home solution.
Humidity Control
Winter air is naturally dry, which can cause irritated sinuses, dry skin, and static electricity. Keeping indoor humidity at an optimal level, between 30% and 50%, improves comfort and helps prevent issues like cracked wood furniture or respiratory discomfort. Instead of relying on portable humidifiers, consider a whole-home humidifier that integrates with your HVAC system. These units provide consistent moisture throughout your home, reducing dryness and improving overall air quality.
Just as there are portable filtration systems, there are portable humidifiers and dehumidifiers as well. However, the limitations are similar. Portable models only affect one room, need water constantly added or emptied, and have high maintenance needs. Whole-home systems run in the background and can be controlled by the same central thermostat you used for your heating and cooling equipment.
Using Kitchen Fans and Avoiding Scented Products
Everyday activities contribute to indoor air pollution. Cooking, cleaning, and even burning candles release airborne particles. To reduce exposure, use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to remove contaminants. Choose natural or fragrance-free cleaning products to limit chemical exposure, and avoid chemical-based plug-in scents and artificially-fragranced candles. If you have a fireplace, make sure it is properly maintained and ventilated to prevent smoke buildup inside your home.
Ventilation
Even in winter, proper ventilation is essential for healthy indoor air. Opening windows for a few minutes daily allows fresh air to circulate and helps remove pollutants. However, this isn’t always practical during our cold winters and might put unnecessary strain on your heating system.
For a better solution during the frigid months, consider using an air exchanger or energy recovery ventilator to introduce fresh air into your home without losing heat. Running ceiling fans on low also promotes air movement and prevents stagnant air.
Houseplants for Ambiance and Cleaner Air
Houseplants enhance the look of your home but can also naturally improve indoor air quality by filtering out toxins, releasing oxygen, and increasing wintertime humidity. Certain plants, like snake plants and peace lilies, absorb pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide, which can come from household products and furnishings.
As they photosynthesize, plants produce fresh oxygen, making the air feel cleaner and more refreshing. They also add moisture to the air, which can help reduce dryness and irritation in your skin, throat, and respiratory system. While plants alone won’t replace proper ventilation or a whole-house humidifier, they can contribute to a healthier indoor environment.
IAQ Solutions for New Hampshire Homeowners
Maintaining healthy indoor air quality during winter requires a combination of efforts. Our team at Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. in Nashua, NH, provides expert HVAC services, air purifiers, humidifiers, and UV air purification solutions to keep your home comfortable all season long.
Contact us today to schedule service and breathe easier this winter!
