Which Winter Health Hazards Is HVAC Able to Prevent?

Winter is flu season. Allergies and asthma tend to be worse too. In general, it’s a common time to be sick. That’s never a good thing, but especially as we continue dealing with the pandemic, it’s important to stay healthy and free of winter health hazards. One way to do that is through HVAC. Here are some common winter health hazards—and how your furnace can help prevent them.

• Poor air circulation. When you seal your house against the cold, it keeps the warm air in. Unfortunately, that also means the same air continues cycling through your HVAC system over and over. It gathers dust and other contaminants as it goes, and the warm air fosters mold. Invest in an air purifier to eliminate those contaminants, which is one of the most common winter health hazards.
• Dry air. Winter air tends to be dry. Then, your HVAC system dehumidifies the air even more. When humidity is too low, it leads to dry, cracked skin and sore throats, and it also fosters flu viruses. To combat this, consider a whole-home humidifier, which allows you to set your ideal humidity level for the house and keep it in the so-called Goldilocks zone, which is between 30% and 50%.
• Pet dander. When the weather is cold, your pets spend more time indoors. This means more hair and pet dander around the house, which can exacerbate allergies. Keep your pet well groomed during the winter months, and dust and vacuum often. Also, check your air filter regularly, as the increased pet dander can clog it faster. Replacing the filter will help keep your air clean and your allergies at bay.
• Carbon monoxide. If you use a gas furnace or a gas fireplace during the winter, you need to be careful of carbon monoxide. Check your carbon monoxide detector to make sure it’s working, and replace the batteries when necessary. If you hear it go off or you smell rotten eggs, get out of the house immediately and call 911 and then the gas company.

For help keeping your home healthy and comfortable, and avoiding winter health hazards, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We serve all of Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin’s HVAC needs.