Are you planning to gather with your nearest and dearest this holiday season? While your thoughts may be on the perfect menu and place settings, you may be overlooking a crucial bit of home comfort – your indoor air quality. Ernst Heating & Cooling of Hamel, Illinois, explains why good indoor air quality is an important part of the festivities, and how you can make sure you’re offering fresh, healthy surroundings for your friends and loved ones.
There’s more than a song in the air
Your holiday gathering playlist may have the best classic tunes, but your indoor air isn’t necessarily joining the festivities. Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the air outdoors. Consider, too, that most Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, and maybe more during winter weather. Take a look at what might be lurking indoors at any given time:
Allergens: You can’t see them, but pet dander, dust mites and mold may be polluting your indoor air. Even your visitors may bring a bit of their dog’s hair on their clothing, which can transfer to your sofa and stick around after the party is over.
Viruses: A winter cold can be the ultimate holiday party pooper. Cold and flu viruses are common during the winter months, and close gatherings give them ample opportunities to jump from one person to another.
Smoke and other harmful gases: That crackling fire brings immediate holiday ambiance to your party. It also puts out smoke, fine particulate matter and potentially harmful gases. These pollutants can lead to wheezing, coughing, asthma attacks or other serious respiratory illnesses.
Cooking pollutants: Holiday parties have become synonymous with good food, but the simple act of cooking may be releasing pollutants into your indoor air.
Holiday decorations: If you like to decorate with artificial greenery like trees, wreaths, or garlands, keep in mind that these may be made from polyvinyl chloride, which releases volatile organic compounds into your air.
Start clearing the air with these strategies
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to fight back against indoor air pollutants:
Give the house a thorough cleaning: Do a deep clean before the company arrives. Vacuum the carpets and area rugs and make sure your draperies and throw pillows aren’t harboring dust colonies.
Limit the wood fires: A crackling fire just feels cozy. We get it. However, you can minimize your indoor air concerns by keeping your fireplace and chimney clean and maintained. Avoid wet or treated wood, which can release excess pollutants. Electric furnaces may be an option. Or, broadcast a crackling fireplace video on your wall-mounted television.
Make sure your home is well ventilated: Your kitchen is going to be warm during the food prep process. Crack open a window so those harmful pollutants can go outside. Use your range hood if you have one, and take advantage of those cooking tools like the air fryer and the crockpot
Go green with holiday decorations: Choose real greenery over artificial decorations. If you’re opting for an artificial tree, let it air out in a well-ventilated area before you bring it inside for decorating.
Talk to Ernst about air quality solutions
You’ve trusted Ernst for your heating and cooling systems. Now let’s talk about air quality solutions. Ernst specializes in precise installation of air filtration systems. Get ahead of the holiday pollutant game by installing a whole-house air-filtration system, which captures airborne pollutants before they have a chance to aggravate your allergies or lead to holiday sick days. We can also tell you about our whole-house humidifiers, which add extra comfort during those dry winter months. Keep your indoor air clean this holiday season and beyond with Ernst Heating & Cooling. Call us now at 618.217.1836 or fill out our online form to request a consultation. Keep your holidays happy with Ernst Heating & Cooling.