According to the American Lung Association, the air you breathe inside you home could be 2 to 5 times as polluted as outdoor air. This can be more true in the winter months when people tend to seal up their homes trapping mold, dust and other pollutants in their home. In this article, Majestic AC will explore what some of the causes on indoor air pollution and what you can do to improve the air you and your family breathes inside.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollutions
Indoor air pollution is a serious problem that can affect the health of everyone in your home. It can come from a variety of sources, both inside and outside your home. Some of the most common sources of indoor air pollution include:
- Combustion appliances: Gas stoves, furnaces, and water heaters can release harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter.
- Tobacco smoke: Secondhand smoke is a major source of indoor air pollution and can contain over 7,000 chemicals, including 70 known carcinogens.
- Building materials: Some building materials, such as asbestos, formaldehyde, and lead, can release harmful pollutants into the air.
- Household products: Many household products, such as cleaning products, air fresheners, and pesticides, can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can irritate the respiratory system.
- Mold and mildew: Mold and mildew can grow in damp or humid environments and can release allergens and irritants into the air.
- Pets: Pets can shed dander, which can trigger allergies and asthma.
- Wood-burning fireplaces: emissions from wood smoke can contain harmful pollutants including carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Ensure your fireplace is properly vented to the outside and are in good working order.
Other factors that affect indoor air quality in the winter
During the cold months, we tend to stay indoors more often than in the milder months. This includes pets and people. Additionally, our behaviors when the weather is cold which can impact indoor air quality. The humidity levels in your home may be too dry. There may not be enough adequate air exchange and ventilation. A Majestic AC comfort consultant can assess your home if you feel you have an indoor air quality problem and offer solutions.
While not the primary contributors, wind and air pressure can indeed play a role in influencing indoor air quality:
Wind: Direct effect: Strong winds can cause leaks in homes, especially around windows and doors. This can allow outdoor pollutants like pollen, dust, and even smoke from wildfires to enter your home.
Indirect effect: Wind speed can affect the outdoor air quality itself. For example, strong winds can stir up dust and pollen, leading to higher outdoor pollutant levels that your home’s ventilation system might then draw in.
Air pressure
Balance: Buildings naturally experience differences in air pressure between the inside and outside. Normally, there’s a slight positive pressure (higher pressure inside) to prevent outdoor pollutants from seeping in. However, strong winds or certain outdoor pressure fluctuations can disrupt this balance.
Negative pressure: When the air pressure outside is higher than inside, it can create a condition called negative pressure. This can draw in unfiltered outdoor air through cracks and gaps, bringing in pollutants along with it.
Positive pressure: Conversely, if the air pressure inside is significantly higher than outside, it can force indoor air out through unintended pathways, potentially pushing contaminants inside walls or into other enclosed spaces within the building.
Overall, the impact of wind and air pressure on indoor air quality depends on several factors, including:
Building integrity: A well-sealed and properly ventilated building will be less susceptible to pressure fluctuations and wind-driven leakage.
Outdoor air quality: If the outdoor air is already polluted, then wind and pressure changes can worsen indoor air quality more significantly.
Ventilation system: An efficient ventilation system can help mitigate the effects of pressure imbalances by bringing in fresh air and expelling stale air with pollutants.
It’s important to note that wind and air pressure alone are unlikely to create major indoor air quality problems in a well-maintained building. However, they can act as contributing factors, especially in combination with other indoor pollution sources. Therefore, maintaining good ventilation, sealing any leaks, and monitoring outdoor air quality, particularly during windy or changeable weather conditions, can help ensure a healthier indoor environment.
How you can help with indoor air quality during the winter
1. Install an air purifier
An air purifier is a device that removes contaminants from the air in a room to improve indoor air quality. They come in various shapes and sizes, but generally work by drawing in air through a fan, passing it through one or more filters, and then releasing cleaner air back into the room.
2. Make sure your furnace is in good working order
Your gas furnace can easily contribute to pollutants in the air. Make sure that it is working properly and venting contaminants outside your home. Make sure it is tuned up for efficient heating.
3. Install a humidier
A home humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can offer a range of benefits, especially during the dry winter months. Here are some of the key advantages:
Health benefits:
- Soothes respiratory issues: Dry air can irritate your nasal passages, throat, and sinuses, leading to coughing, congestion, and even nosebleeds. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can alleviate these symptoms, especially for people suffering from allergies, asthma, or chronic respiratory conditions.
- Moisturizes skin and lips: Dry air can also dry out your skin and lips, causing flakiness, irritation, and chapping. Adding moisture with a humidifier can help keep your skin and lips hydrated and healthy.
- Reduces static electricity: Dry air can cause annoying static shocks. Humidifiers can help minimize this by adding moisture to the air, making it less conducive to static electricity buildup.
- Improves sleep quality: Dry air can disrupt sleep by causing congestion and dry mouth. Humidifiers can create a more comfortable sleeping environment by adding moisture to the air, potentially leading to better sleep quality.
4. Crack your windows on occasion
Yes, opening windows during the winter can help with indoor air quality in several ways, but it’s important to consider specific factors to maximize the benefits and minimize drawbacks:
Benefits:
- Improves Ventilation: Opening windows allows fresh air to circulate, diluting and removing stale air and indoor pollutants like carbon dioxide, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and moisture. This can be especially beneficial if you have tightly sealed windows and doors during winter.
- Reduces Allergens and Odors: Fresh air can help dilute airborne allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, improving allergy symptoms. It can also remove cooking odors, cleaning chemicals, and smoke from fireplaces or cigarettes.
- Boosts Humidity: Cold winter air is often dry, which can irritate skin and sinuses. Opening windows briefly can introduce some moisture, helping to balance humidity levels.
Tips for effective winter window ventilation:
- Short bursts: Open windows for short periods, like 5-10 minutes, several times a day, instead of leaving them open continuously.
- Cross-ventilation: Open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a cross breeze that maximizes air circulation without excessive heat loss.
- Target rooms: Focus on ventilating rooms with higher potential for pollution, like kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
- Monitor outdoor air quality: Check air quality reports before opening windows to avoid bringing in outdoor pollutants.
- Dress warmly: Layer up with warm clothing during ventilation to compensate for potential drafts.
5. Make sure your air filters are clean
Clean air filters offer a surprising number of benefits, impacting both your health and well-being, as well as your personal belongings and potentially even your wallet. Here’s a closer look at what you can gain from keeping your filters clean and replaced regularly:
Health:
- Reduced respiratory issues: Dirty air filters allow dust, pollen, and other allergens to circulate in your home, triggering allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. Clean filters act as a barrier, capturing these harmful particles, leading to clearer breathing and fewer allergy symptoms.
- Improved sleep quality: Pollutants in the air can disrupt sleep patterns, causing coughing, congestion, and dry mouth. Clean filters create a cleaner environment, promoting healthier sleep and potentially decreasing fatigue during the day.
- Boosted immune system: Exposure to airborne contaminants can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. Clean filters filter out these potential invaders, helping your body stay healthy and fight off infections more effectively.
Comfort and well-being:
- Reduced dust and odours: Clean filters trap dust and debris before they settle on surfaces, making your home cleaner and reducing the need for frequent dusting. Additionally, they absorb unpleasant odours from cooking, pets, or cleaning products, leaving your home smelling fresh and inviting.
- Improved HVAC efficiency: A clogged air filter restricts airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work harder and consume more energy to maintain desired temperatures. Regular filter replacements ensure optimal airflow and energy efficiency, potentially lowering your utility bills.
- Extended appliance lifespan: Dirty filters cause your HVAC system to work harder, putting additional stress on its components. Replacing filters on time prevents this strain, promoting longer lifespan and potentially reducing repair costs in the long run.
Other benefits:
- Protected furniture and electronics: Dust and allergens can damage furniture and electronics over time. Clean filters act as a shield, keeping these contaminants out and preserving the lifespan of your belongings.
- Reduced environmental impact: Properly disposing of used filters minimizes environmental pollution compared to neglecting filter maintenance and potentially forcing premature replacement of your HVAC system.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) can be particularly challenging during the winter months. Compared to warmer seasons, there are several factors that contribute to potentially worsening IAQ in winter:
Reduced Ventilation:
- Closed windows and doors: We tend to seal up our homes to conserve heat, but this limits fresh air circulation and traps pollutants inside.
- Less open windows: Colder temperatures discourage opening windows regularly, leading to stale air buildup.
Increased Pollutant Sources:
- Heating systems: Combustion-based heating systems like furnaces and fireplaces can release pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter.
- Increased cooking and candle use: We often spend more time indoors and cook more during winter, leading to higher concentrations of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from cooking and burning candles.
- Holiday decorations: Artificial Christmas trees and other decorations can harbor dust and mold spores, adding to indoor allergens.
Moisture Fluctuations:
- Dry air: Cold winter air is naturally dry, which can irritate skin and respiratory systems.
- Increased humidifiers: While humidifiers can help with dry air, overusing them can lead to mold growth if not properly maintained.
These factors combined can contribute to a host of health problems associated with poor IAQ in winter, including:
- Respiratory issues: Increased allergies, asthma symptoms, coughs, and colds.
- Dry skin and eyes: Caused by dry air and lack of ventilation.
- Headaches and fatigue: Linked to exposure to indoor pollutants.
- Sleep disruptions: Can be worsened by stuffy air and allergens.
However, there are several things you can do to improve IAQ during winter:
- Ventilate regularly: Open windows for short bursts (5-10 minutes) multiple times a day to allow fresh air circulation.
- Maintain your heating system: Ensure proper maintenance and cleaning of your furnace or fireplace to minimize pollutant emissions.
- Use exhaust fans: Turn on exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms during and after cooking or showering to remove moisture and contaminants.
- Invest in air purifiers: Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove allergens and other pollutants.
- Monitor humidity levels: Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels and adjust humidifier settings accordingly to avoid mold growth.
- Choose low-VOC products: Opt for cleaning products and personal care products with low or no VOCs to minimize indoor air pollution.
- Clean regularly: Dust, vacuum, and wash bedding and curtains regularly to remove dust mites and allergens.
By taking these steps, you can create a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment for yourself and your family during the winter months. Remember, consistency is key, so make IAQ a priority to enjoy cleaner air and better health throughout the winter season.