Wintertime often sees a rise in illness due to both colder air outside, which holds less moisture and the increased use of indoor heating makes air extra dry. Because of cooler winter temperatures, most homes are intentionally sealed from outside air coming inside and people spend a good amount of time indoors, even in Melbourne, FL. This creates the perfect storm of germy and stale air, but before you run out to buy an expensive air purifier try out these effective tips to improve the air quality in your home.
Keep Your Home Clean
A key to staying healthy during the winter months is keeping your home clean and tidy. By being proactive in cleaning all surfaces and washing linens in your home frequently, you can stave off a lot of illnesses that need a surface to cling to.
Use a good quality detergent for your bedding, changing sheets and covers weekly. Further increase your bedding health by covering mattresses and box springs in hypoallergenic covers, which also help eliminate the possibility of allergens such as dust mites, bacteria, and viruses — purifying the air in your home naturally.
If you have carpets make sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove as much dust and pet dander as possible.
Keep Your Home Well Vented
While keeping your home warm during the winter is often a concern for most, it’s important to understand that an important aspect of air-purifying requires proper home ventilation. You can actually reduce your energy expenses with proper air quality control, keeping you healthier all winter long.
To keep your home well-vented use bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans. If you don’t have exhaust fans make sure to bring in fresh air often by cracking open a window daily. Another alternative to exhaust fans is using an in-window air exchange system that pulls in filtered outside air without letting heated air escape.
The Florida air is humid even in the winter months making it vital that you ventilate your bathroom and other damp spaces in your home to prevent mold growth.
Check Home Heating Appliances for Safety and Efficiency
Service your furnaces, HVAC, space heaters, wood-burning stoves, and fireplaces to confirm they are operating efficiently before first use this season. In Melbourne, FL contact Reynolds Heating and Air to schedule an annual HVAC inspection. In addition to professional services, make sure to change your air filters every 3-months and consider having your air ducts and chimneys cleaned annually.
Control the Humidity in Your Home
Even after you clean your home and purify your indoor air, it is still dry. A humidifier can put too much moisture in the air, which can lead to mold spores and condensation. If you find that you have spaces where you can’t contain mold growth consider purchasing a quality hygrometer to monitor indoor humidity. Keep your indoor optimal humidity rate at 40% and 55%. If you find that your readings continue to stay higher than that contact a professional HVAC company to evaluate your ductwork and HVAC system.
Your comfort and satisfaction are our main priority at Reynolds Air & Heat. We’ll not only help get your system running today, but we’ll also help maximize the energy efficiency of your current installation, offer preventative maintenance advice and service to help keep it running. Reynolds Air & Heat Proudly Serves All of Brevard County including the Beaches. We offer Free Estimates on all installations, as well as Military and Senior Discounts. Contact us today to learn more.