Winter in Seacoast NH and the North Shore of MA means spending a lot more time indoors. But flu season is in full swing, not to mention the lingering dangers of Covid-19 and viral respiratory infections that can really make you feel sick. The switch to indoors can be especially hard on family members with chronic respiratory conditions.
As the trusted and certified local contractor that specializes in home comfort, Kearney HVAC has some tips to stay healthy and improve indoor air quality this winter when colds and flus abound.
What are common signs of poor indoor air quality?
Most people think of air pollution as an outdoor air problem, but according to the EPA, indoor air can be 2 to 5 times as polluted as outside air. Whether your home has air leaks letting in outside pollutants or it is too airtight without adequate ventilation, indoor pollutants can build up inside your home. If your family experiences cold-like symptoms, runny noses, sore throats, or itchy eyes, it’s likely that your inside air is hiding pollutants that irritate the whole family.
Take these DIY steps to make your home healthy
The healthiest homes are ones that have cleaner air and fewer pollutants. While it may seem daunting to attack these invisible pollutants, there are ways to keep your home fresher and healthier.
Replace HVAC Filters
This routine maintenance can really make a difference for homes with forced air heating and cooling. Most manufacturers recommend filter replacement once every one to two months. However, if your family has members with respiratory conditions, it may make sense to replace filters more frequently. Filters are designed to remove the particulate matter that can irritate your nose and lungs.
Regular Cleaning
Much of the dust and dirt in your home can come from dust mites, pet and human dander, and other sources, including combustion appliances, smoke, or cooking fumes. Keeping up with cleaning — vacuuming and dusting— can really help to reduce the levels of indoor pollutants, especially in the winter.
Improve Indoor Humidity
Winter air can be incredibly dry — especially inside your home. Increasing moisture to recommended levels of between 30% to 50% humidity is one way to improve the way your home feels in winter. Air with the right humidity levels can help eliminate sore throats, chapped lips, and static electricity shocks so common in winter. The pros at Kearney HVAC can provide expertise on humidifiers that take the guesswork out of moisture in your indoor air.
Tackle Viruses & Allergens with Air Purification
With the lingering presence of Covid-19 and the winter uptick in flu cases, many Seacoast NH residents are adding the iWave-C air purifier to fight back against coronaviruses and other respiratory viruses. As your local indoor air quality experts, Kearney HVAC is the top North Shore MA contractor with the experience to assess your home IAQ and install an iWave-C.
How does the iWave-C work?
The iWave-C uses technology called Needle Point Bi-Polar Ionization, ge positive and negative ions to target mold, bacteria, viruses, allergens, smoke, and more. In lab testing, the iWave-C was found to inactivate 84.2% of Covid-19 virus after 10 minutes and 99.4% of the virus after 30 minutes. The iWave-C is a small device that is installed inside your central ductwork via magnets. It’s maintenance-free and self-cleaning!
If you’re ready to take your indoor air quality to the next level. count on the IAQ experts for moisture control and air purification to keep your family healthy all year long!
