Come wintertime, you may be less inclined to venture outside. While retreating indoors can shield you from the cold, it’s important to remember that the air in your home or office may not be as clean or fresh as you might expect. Indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air, especially during the chilly winter months. As the season progresses, trapped airborne irritants gradually build up inside the space, creating an unhealthy breathing environment, particularly for young children, older folks, and those with respiratory conditions and sensitivities.
Ahead, we explore some common indoor air quality issues you may face this winter and provide tips for maintaining a healthier, fresher indoor climate all season long.
For many, winter not only brings lower temperatures and shorter days in but also higher levels of indoor air pollution. This is mainly due to changes in atmospheric and weather conditions, but our winter habits also play a part. That said, let’s look at six common indoor winter air quality problems and how to mitigate them.
When the winter chill arrives, you may notice that the air is drier and less humid. That’s because cooler air carries less moisture than warm air. But since many buildings aren’t completely airtight, that cold, dry air can easily slip inside and lower the relative humidity (the amount of moisture present in the air relative to its temperature). Indoor heating can further reduce humidity levels, making the air overly dry. This parched winter air, in turn, will try to pull moisture from wherever it can, including your eyes, skin, hair, and nasal passages.
According to Cleveland Clinic, dry air can irritate the airways, causing nosebleeds, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, as well as aggravating conditions like bronchitis and sinusitis. It can also increase the risk of viral infections, which is particularly concerning during the winter months when cold and flu season is at its peak. Family medicine specialist Josue Limage, MD, explains that: “When the air is too dry, your sinuses dry out, too. The mucus that’s normally gooey and thick gets too dry. That makes it a less effective trap for germs. You’re more likely to get a cold when the air’s dry because your mucus doesn’t catch things that you breathe in as often as usual.”
Solution: A humidifier is your best defense against dry winter air. These devices add moisture to the air to help alleviate dry skin, improve breathing, reduce infection risk, and more. That’s provided the relative humidity level stays around 30% to 40% during the winter months. If the humidifier doesn’t have a filter, only fill it with distilled water. Additionally, check that your home is properly air-sealed and insulated to reduce the amount of cold, dry air seeping in.
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Airing out your home in the warmer seasons may not be an issue, as you can open a window or two to let in fresh air without worrying about cold, dry air leaking in. This contrasts with the chillier winter months, when exterior windows and doors are often sealed tight and shut against the freezing cold. With less fresh air entering the home, ventilation decreases, and pollutants begin to accumulate indoors. Sources of these impurities include cooking activities, certain cleaning supplies, fabrics, candles, air fresheners, and pets. As the pollutants cycle through the air continuously, their concentrations climb to levels that may lead to a myriad of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, chronic inflammation, and cancer. You may also notice that the air starts to smell a bit stuffy.
Solution: As a starter, open multiple exterior windows and doors for a few minutes daily when the weather permits it. Doing so allows fresh air to circulate throughout the home, and helps dispel the musty air. You can use an indoor air quality monitor to determine when to ventilate your home, or do so whenever the air smells stuffy. Also, make sure to turn on the kitchen extractor fan while cooking to vent some of the stale, polluted air outside. For even better results, clean and vacuum your home more regularly. This will help eliminate settled pollutants that would otherwise re-enter the air when someone walks through a room, for example. It’s also worth running an air purifier to capture pollutants that become airborne and reduce odors, smoke, and gases, resulting in fresher-smelling air.
There’s nothing quite as cozy as curling up in front of a warm fireplace or wood-burning stove on a cold, snowy day. But while they may provide plenty of warmth and comfort, these heating sources can be a major source of indoor air pollution in winter. Indoor wood burning can quickly fill homes with smoke containing potentially harmful combustion byproducts, such as:
Scientific research shows that inhaling these emissions can induce coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. It may also lead to more serious complications, such as reduced lung function, chronic lung disease, cancer, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and premature death.
Solution: Avoid using a wood stove or fireplace unless it is your primary heat source and is properly vented outside. If you must use one, be sure to have it checked by a professional every season to ensure it is in good working condition. Equally important, burn only dry, seasoned firewood (cut and dried for at least six months) and dry kindling, such as newspaper. If you have an older wood stove, consider upgrading to an EPA-certified model that burns more efficiently and produces less smoke and toxins. To further minimize emissions, run a portable HEPA air purifier with carbon filtration as the fire burns and afterward.
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As we nestle inside during those winter cold snaps, our beloved pets will likely be right by our side (or on our laps). But as the dry winter air makes their skin itchy and flaky, they may start shedding more, especially if they’ve grown a thick winter coat. Not only will this “exfoliation” process scatter fur everywhere, but also dandruff-like dead skin flakes, known as dander. Dander can linger in the air and cling to surfaces, such as carpets, couches, and furniture. Furthermore, the proteins in it can trigger reactions in individuals with allergies. Pet allergy symptoms typically include sneezing, snuffiness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, asthmatic reactions, and chest tightness.
Solution: A few effective ways to clear your home of pet fur and dander include regularly bathing and grooming your pets, washing their bedding frequently, and designating pet-free zones. Also, wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth and use a HEPA-filter vacuum to vacuum floors, carpets, rugs, and soft furnishings. A HEPA air purifier can trap pet hair and dander, preventing them from settling on surfaces.
There’s a common misconception that mold only thrives in warm, humid conditions, such as during the summer months. However, winter is also a prime time for mold growth, thanks to the poor ventilation, warmer conditions, and excess moisture indoors. Moisture can accumulate in households from various sources, including improperly adjusted humidifiers, water leaks, condensation on windows or pipes, and activities such as bathing and cooking.
When moisture collects in household areas, such as bathrooms and basements, mold begins to grow and proliferate. Mayo Clinic notes that these fungi release mold spores, which can irritate the eyes, skin, throat, lungs, and nasal passages when inhaled. They can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma symptoms in people with mold allergies.
Solution: Protecting against mold in winter involves taking measures, such as removing snowy boots at the door, turning on exhaust fans when showering and cooking, maintaining a humidity level between 30% and 50% in your home, and promptly fixing leaks. You can also use a HEPA air purifier to remove mold spores from the air.
It’s common to idle cars in the garage, especially on those cold winter mornings. While this practice helps warm up the engine and cabin for a more comfortable ride, there’s often a significant risk associated with it: carbon monoxide (CO) pollution. Even with the garage door open, idling vehicles in an attached garage can release hazardous CO gas into the surrounding area. Built up, this poisonous gas can then seep into living spaces.
Breathing low levels of CO commonly causes mild “flu-like” symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In high doses, CO can cause more serious health complications, including impaired vision and coordination, and premature death. Baptist Health warns that low CO exposure can become fatal within two hours, and within five minutes at elevated concentrations.
Solution: When getting ready to leave, open the garage door, turn on the car, then drive out of the garage immediately. Wait until everyone is seated and the doors are closed before starting the vehicle. As an extra precaution, keep fully functional carbon monoxide detectors around your home. This way, you can be alerted if the gas is present and can evacuate before CO poisoning occurs. It’s also a good idea to place a suitable air purifier near the entrance from the home to the garage to capture CO that may try to leak into the house.
Related article: Do Air Purifiers Remove Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
Cravings for homemade comfort foods naturally increase in colder weather, and so does the desire to prepare them. Cooking is an enjoyable activity for many, but it may also be a dangerous one during winter. With little to no fresh air circulating indoors, cooking smoke, grease, odors, and fumes can permeate living spaces and compromise indoor air quality.
Solution: Turn on the range hood or exhaust fan while cooking to help expel emissions outside and improve ventilation. Also, make sure to cover pots and pans with lids to trap moisture and grease splatter. Close doors to other rooms of the house to prevent cooking fumes from spreading about. A HEPA air purifier with an activated carbon filter can help reduce cooking smoke, fumes, and odors.
The most effective way to combat most winter indoor air quality issues is with a purpose-built air purifier. The best winter air purifiers typically feature HEPA and activated carbon filters for max air cleaning. Specifically, such machines can capture and eliminate 99.9% of particles as small as 0.1 microns, including dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens that can trigger flare-ups. These purifiers also ensure the air is clear of pollutants like fine particulates, toxic gases and fumes, and VOCs from wood and tobacco smoke. Health aside, they quickly minimize odors and smoke to freshen up your space, while subtly elevating your home’s aesthetics.
Learn more: 7 Benefits of an Air Purifier for Your Health and Home | How Air Purifiers Help Reduce Allergies and Which One to Buy
Powerful yet quiet and stylish, TrustedAir’s Smart HEPA Air Purifier ticks all the boxes of what makes a quality winter air purifier. It uses a three-in-one air filtration system to refresh spaces up to 1,900 square feet in under an hour:
This purifier automatically kicks on as needed and features a companion smartphone app that lets you control settings, schedule events, monitor air quality, receive reminders about filter changes, and more. In Sleep Mode, the device operates at just 26 dB, quiet enough to let you sleep, work, or meditate without interruption. Plus, with color-coded status indicators, you can quickly glimpse your home’s air quality.
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As you hunker down this winter season, your home’s air quality should be top of mind. Indoor air pollution tends to spike during the colder months due to factors like low humidity, poor air circulation, and pet dander buildup. A quality air purification system, combined with the strategies provided in this article, creates a comprehensive defense against winter indoor air pollution. Implementing these measures can help you maintain a clean and healthy indoor environment as your home is sealed against the cold.
To learn more about TrustedAir’s top-rated HEPA air purifier, please contact us at (877) 869-1507 or message us via our contact form. Our dedicated team will respond promptly to ensure you get the support you need and the answers you’re looking for.
