Air Cleaning Tips that Help Your Indoor Air Quality all Winter Long

As winter drags on in Omaha, this time of year can be tough on your indoor air quality. The house has been closed off to the elements for months, but it’s not yet warm enough outside to open up the windows. Dust, mold, and other allergens build up as a result, making it harder to breathe and worsening the symptoms of respiratory ailments.

Luckily, you don’t need to wait for spring to arrive to do something about your indoor air quality in Omaha. Follow these tips to purify your air through the last weeks of winter.

Change the Air Filter on Your Furnace Regularly

Air filters on furnaces trap dust and other contaminants from the air.
When they fill up, these pollutants can spread all over your home. To keep your air fresh, it’s important to change the air filter on your furnace at least once every three months. For maximum performance, install a new one every four weeks. You may also want to consider investing in High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, otherwise known as HEPA filters. These cost a bit more, but trap particulate matter down to the microscopic level.

Install a Humidifier

Few consider the role of humidity in indoor air quality, yet controlling indoor moisture levels is one of the surest ways to enhance the air you breathe. Omaha’s Indoor air can be drier than a desert during the winter months, so it’s important to invest in a humidifier. Installing a humidity gauge can help you to adjust your new humidifier to an optimal level. For maximum comfort, try to keep your indoor humidity between 30 to 50 percent during the winter.

Watch Out for Mold

In Omaha mold and mildew are some of the biggest drivers of poor indoor air quality. In homes where humidity levels are too high, the buildup of mold can become an issue. To control mold, make sure to keep your humidity levels under control, and watch out for any water leaks through your attic or into your basement. If mold has built up to unhealthy levels, you may want to hire a mold remediation specialist to clean up the mess and keep it from coming back.

Consider Air Filters and Purifiers

While removing the source of pollution is the best way to improve the indoor air quality of your Omaha home, a number of air filtration and purification products can be an effective complement. Air purifiers equipped with UV lights can be mounted inside the ductwork of your home. As air passes through, the light kills off any traces of bacteria, mold, and mildew. To clear additional particulate matter like dust and pollen from the air, you can add a high-efficiency air cleaner to your home’s central air system. The most sophisticated models can capture more than 99 percent of airborne dust, dirt, pollen, and other materials.

To learn more about products that improve filtration and air cleaning inside your Omaha home, visit our indoor air cleaning and air filtration page. To schedule an at-home indoor air quality inspection with a qualified professional, visit us online.