How Winter Heating Affects Indoor Air Quality
Like every piece of technology that exists today, there is both a good and a bad side to heating systems.
Most homeowners think that their heating systems only regulate the temperature inside. However, it also impacts indoor air quality (IAQ), and the more you know about it, the better equipped you are to ensure it’s not too negative or poor.
Modern-day homeowners are always concerned about IAQ, bringing in indoor air quality experts to ensure the air inside is breathable and safe. This isn’t a surprise; people nowadays spend more time indoors, especially those working remotely. However, most people don’t pay attention to their HVAC systems, which can also impact the indoor air quality. This guide will help you understand the intricacies behind this.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
Before understanding how heating systems affect IAQ, it’s essential to know why indoor air quality matters in the first place. Poor IAQ isn’t just about discomfort—prolonged exposure to bad air quality can impact your health, causing frequent headaches and fatigue. If you’re prone to conditions like asthma flare-ups, the dirty air inside can quickly trigger them as well.
It’s not just about the air being dirty; indoor air quality can also worsen due to the accumulation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from new furniture or paint. All in all, poor indoor air quality can disrupt your health, home environment, and your home’s heating system.
How Heating Systems Affect Indoor Air
Heating systems, especially when running 24/7 during winter, have a significant impact on your indoor air quality in two critical ways:
Creating Dry Air
Cool air is inherently drier, as warm air has more moisture. The way heating systems or HVACs are designed, they retain the cold air inside without adding or increasing moisture, which means extra-dry air. Since warm air during winter has less humidity, the indoor environment feels drier than usual. This is why you may sometimes experience nosebleeds during winter, as your nasal capillaries dry and crack when inhaling the crisp, dry air.
Dry air can also lead to problems beyond your health, causing inefficiencies in your heating system, increased static electricity, or even cracks in wooden furniture.
Adding to the Pollution Inside
Even in the cleanest homes, there’s bound to be some pollutants inside—dust, dirt, feathers, fur, etc. During winter, windows are often closed, which allows pollutants to accumulate further. Due to the way heating systems work, these pollutants will ultimately circulate throughout the house and reach every room. Heating systems are designed to spread warm air everywhere, so instead of settling down, the pollutants mix with the air, adversely affecting the IAQ.
How You Can Use Heating Systems to Improve Air Quality
It all boils down to how you’re using them—heating systems, despite adding dry air and accumulating pollutants, can actually help you improve the air quality inside. Here’s how:
- Changing Filters: Make it a habit to inspect and change your heating system’s filters regularly—ideally every few months. Clogged filters lead to all sorts of problems, from pollutants accumulating to forcing the system to work harder and consume more energy. Fortunately, changing filters is relatively easy and inexpensive, so you can stick to this routine religiously.
- Get a Professional Check-Up: Heating systems are a vital part of your smart home technology, which is why they need extra care. Instead of DIY-ing inspections, schedule a professional service to ensure the system is working correctly and all filters and vents are unclogged or cleaned if required. This prevents carbon monoxide buildup and maintains safe indoor air quality, especially during winter.
- Tackle Dry Air Using Humidifiers: Lastly, you can install humidifiers to deal with dry air problems. A simple, over-the-counter humidifier will do the job. When it’s attached to your heating or HVAC system, it’ll deliver moisture everywhere. You can also contact your HVAC provider to install their humidifier for the best results, if they manufacture them.
Wrapping Up
Like every piece of technology that exists today, there is both a good and a bad side to heating systems as well. For those living in colder climates, heating systems are a true blessing, but they can also cause issues such as dry air and the accumulation of pollutants. This can impact the air quality inside your home. Tackle them properly through routine maintenance and filter cleaning, and you won’t have to worry about IAQ again.
