Air Quality Problems in Your Home in winter

During the summer it is easy, all you have to do is open a few windows and let in the warm air to circulate around your house. There's nothing quite like that feeling of having plenty of fresh air, and it's something most of us miss during the winter when it's impossible to open up a window or door without feeling like you're freezing to death, and even worse letting out all that expensive warm air. For most of us it's just a minor inconvenience, and a small price to pay for being warm, but some of us will find the air-quality in our home deteriorates during the winter months. While some of the problems may seem relatively minor, and may include such things as humidification problems, others may be more serious.

Dealing with Radon in Your Home

Radon is an odorless gas that can be extremely harmful. It's recommended that everyone test their homes for radon, and this is probably best done by a professional. The reason for this is as radon levels can vary according to the season, and someone who is professionally trained will be able to decide if your home needs more extensive testing. Sometimes it may be necessary to carry out radon tests over the course of several months to determine the exact levels. If the radon levels are too high then radon mitigation is necessary. The radon generally comes in through the foundations of a home, and during the winter months it may become more prevalent due to the lack of ventilation.

Limiting the Possibility of Carbon Monoxide Leaks in Your Home

Carbon monoxide is another odorless and colorless gas that is extremely toxic. The trouble with carbon monoxide is that people can become overcome with the fumes before they are even aware it is in their home. It's something that can become more of a problem during winter, again due to the lack of ventilation in the home. It's also something that can occur due to faulty boilers, heaters and furnaces, but will have been tested for if you booked that fall furnace tune up. It's really important that your furnace repair schedules are kept up-to-date, along with manufactured required maintenance schedules for home appliances. A trained professional will be able to thoroughly check your central heating system and will make sure any furnaces, flues and chimneys aren’t blocked. You can also help yourself by making sure that any gas appliances have the proper ventilation in place, and that the flues are open when any fireplaces are in use. It's possible to buy small carbon monoxide detection units, but these must be properly located to be effective.

Improving the General Air-Quality in Your Home during winter

During the winter months you can help improve the general air-quality in your home by ensuring all your appliances are working properly and that filters are cleaned and replaced at regular intervals. Humidification systems can help improve the overall air-quality and can increase home comfort. Ultraviolet air cleaners and air handlers can help kill off any bugs or bacteria that may be present in your home, keeping the whole family healthy during winter.