How to Improve Indoor Air Quality and Prevent Sickness in the Winter
In Brainerd, winter isn’t just a never-ending battle against the snow and cold—it’s also a struggle to dodge sickness. From November through March, it feels like everyone and their dog will come down with a cold, the flu, RSV, norovirus, you name it. But did you know that the air we breathe in our own homes can be a factor in winter’s elevated illness levels?
Beyond washing your hands and avoiding touching your face, there’s another easy way to avoid getting sick: Opt for professional indoor air quality solutions from your neighbors at Schroeder’s Home Services. From air ducts to filtration systems, there are many solutions available to protect your home and family from succumbing to literal cabin fever.
Understanding Indoor Air Quality Problems in the Winter
It’s no surprise why people tend to get sick in the winter months more than in the summer. With so much time cooped up indoors, if your home’s air quality is anything less than excellent, you run a higher risk of breathing in contaminants and spreading them to others. Here are some of the typical issues with indoor air quality in the winter:
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
Allergens ranging from dust to pet dander to mold can lead to irritation, especially in sensitive individuals. Even meticulous cleaning can’t rid your home of all traces of these air pollutants. In Brainerd specifically, our long winters, combined with summer wildfire smoke and wood-burning appliances can mean even worse air quality. And because heating systems like furnaces are running constantly all through the winter, they simply circulate air pollutants around again and again.
Poor indoor air quality can lead to health problems like asthma, coughing, sneezing, and the flu. The most surefire way to remove contaminants is through an air purification or filtration system. You’ll want to keep carbon monoxide top of mind, too, and install a quality carbon monoxide detector to keep your family safe.
Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality
If you’re concerned about your home’s air quality, look for these signs before scheduling a professional indoor air quality test:
- Frequent coughing and sneezing
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Asthma flare-ups
- Allergy symptoms
- Dust
- Visible mold
Professional Indoor Air Quality Testing Services
Air quality testing is an investment you make in both your home’s comfort and your family’s safety. Professional testing can uncover the specific pollutants hiding in the air and recommend the best indoor air quality services for tackling them. Schroeder’s highly trained experts can check and analyze your indoor air quality in real time and provide a customized plan towards improvement.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Home
Duct Cleaning Services
We recommend scheduling a duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years, though homes with pets, smokers, mold, or people with asthma or allergies should consider more frequent cleanings. This extra-deep clean will clear out the dust, dander, and contaminants that hide deep in your home. The duct cleaning technician will first perform a comprehensive inspection, then use specialized tools to completely remove dust and debris from your ducts, improving the air that’s circulated throughout your home.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions
After a duct cleaning, you’ll want to take steps to preserve the deep clean for as long as possible. The best way to accomplish this is by choosing an air purification system. From HEPA filters to media filters to UV air cleaners, there are many options available, and your Schroeder’s technician can help you choose the best one for your home.
Especially in the winter, you should consider adding a humidifier to your home’s air quality ecosystem. It’ll add comfortable moisture into the air, making breathing easier and preventing dry noses and skin. Be sure to clean it frequently, though, because humidifers can be sources of hidden mold and other contaminants that aren’t safe to breathe.
Proper Ventilation
It’s clearly not wise to open the windows to air out your home or cabin during the winter. But the result of a home on lockdown for months on end is that your heating system recycles the same musty, impure air, and it only becomes worse without proper purification.
Luckily, there are a few steps you can take during the winter to safely ventilated your home. Opening a window for a few minutes when the temperature is above freezing can help. Or, more effectively, Schroeder’s can install a ventilation system that provides fresh air even in the depths of winter.
Schroeder's Solutions for Winter Indoor Air Quality
From air quality testing to duct cleaning to filtration and purification installations, Schroeder’s is your partner for all things that impact indoor air quality. Since 1960, we’ve served the Brained Lakes area as a locally owned and operated business known for our reliability and expertise. Now, we’ve grown to include A/C, heating, plumbing, water quality, and more whole-home services.
We know how to tackle the issues that Minnesota homes and cabins face in the winter because we face them, too.
Keep the Sniffles at Bay - Call Schroeder’s Home Services
Maintaining healthy indoor air is a key part of warding off winter sickness. Enhance comfort and ensure better lung health for you and your family by taking proactive steps to improve your indoor air quality. Choose Schroeder’s for all your home comfort needs – call us for an air purifying or duct cleaning consultation today!
