By Ela Matters Staff 
Everyone loves how the winter months bring holiday gatherings, cozy blankets and warm drinks to households—but one thing we often forget about is how wintertime also forces us to close our windows and invite indoor pollutants inside our homes.
Although a lot of homeowners neglect their professional HVAC maintenance as long as their system is functioning, the winter months are actually the time of year in which your HVAC system will ultimately have the biggest impact on your long-term health.
Routine inspections and maintenance goes a long way to keep homes feeling comfortable and healthy, and we recently got in touch with an HVAC service provider in Salt Lake City, Utah to better understand what people need to keep in mind this time of year to protect their health.
So, check out the below sections to see exactly what connects the health benefits between wintertime HVAC services and indoor air quality checkups!
Why Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Declines During The Winter
All of our homes naturally become more sealed up as temperatures start to drop, and this is largely due to our windows remaining closed, our doors staying shut, and our overall property ventilation decreasing.
This subsequently means that the air you breathe inside your home during the winter inevitably gets recycled again and again, and this includes everything within these particles as well. Some common wintertime indoor pollutants that homeowners should know about include the following:
- Pet dander and dust
- Viruses and bacteria
- Mold spores
- Smoke
- VOCsfrom cleaning products, cooking and holiday decor
Without correct circulation and air filtration, these indoor pollutants can quickly accumulate throughout your property—which is exactly where professional HVAC services step in to protect your household!
Cleaner Indoor Air Through Professional HVAC Filter Maintenance
Every property’s first line of defense against polluted winter air is a clean air filter, and it’s important to understand just how less effective your system’s filter can be once it gets clogged with debris and dust.
During your wintertime HVAC service appointments, your hired technicians will likely do the following:
- Recommend high-grade filtration options
- Inspect and replace your dirty air filters
- Ensure that your property’s airflow is strong and circulating clean air
- Evaluate if your HVAC system is actually drawing in enough fresh air to meet your property’s unique needs
The results of these services are less coughing, fewer airborne irritants, and not as much sneezing during the heart of the winter when breathing is often at its hardest!
The Importance Of Maintaining Proper Indoor Humidity Levels
It’s also crucial for people to realize how their chapped lips aren’t the only issues caused by dry winter air, because this is the time of year that can potentially weaken your body’s immune system as well.
Low indoor humidity inevitably dries out an individual’s nose, throat and sinuses—which subsequently makes it much easier for viruses to amalgamate. And at the exact same time, excessive humidity levels also encourage mold development as well.
This is exactly why today’s HVAC systems are often paired with dehumidifiers and humidifiers in order to maintain a comfortable balance inside your home. During winter maintenance appointments, your technicians will recalibrate and measure your humidity levels in order to do the following:
- Minimize respiratory irritations
- Reduce airborne viruses
- Prevent mildew and mold
- Prevent cracked wooden furniture and floors
Although healthy humidity levels are often overlooked by a lot of homeowners, it truly matters most during the winter season!
Reducing Pollutant Buildup By Improving Household Circulation
Stagnant indoor air often disrupts a household’s health, and this is largely because pollutants will easily settle onto carpets, fabrics and corners when air isn’t moving.
One important aspect of winter HVAC services is ensuring proper air circulation by doing the following:
- Cleaning internal system components
- Checking blower motors
- Balancing airflow in between rooms
- Ensuring that all ducts and vents are unobstructed
Better household circulation leads to fewer musty odors, fresher air, and far less harmful particle buildup.
Invisible Issues Detected By IAQ Checkups
A property’s indoor air can seemingly look and feel fine, while still harboring all sorts of pollutants that can later lead to symptoms like fatigue, headaches and respiratory ailments.
This is exactly why all reputable HVAC service providers are simultaneously dedicated to IAQ testing, and this is especially the case during the winter months. These types of checkup appointments help to detect all sorts of unforeseen issues, including:
- Mold spores
- Particulate matter
- VOC concentrations
- Carbon monoxide leaks
- Poor ventilation zones
- Indoor humidity imbalances
IAQ testing also provides property owners with data that they can actually act upon in terms of seeing tangible results!
Healthy Homes Always Require Consistent Winter HVAC Services & Maintenance
Investing in wintertime HVAC maintenance isn’t solely about preventing system breakdowns, because you’ll also be developing an indoor environment that allows you to sleep better, breathe easier, and stay healthier during the coldest days of the year.
By ensuring that your system remains balanced, clean and optimized, you’ll subsequently protect your entire property from harmful pollutants that tend to thrive in sealed spaces.
And when you combine these tasks with IAQ checkups, you’ll also be investing in your long-term health as well!