As the fall temperatures fade and winter weather approaches, our team members here at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Outer Banks is constantly thinking about how we can help keep your home as comfortable as possible. While you work to winterize your home for the upcoming season, the topic of indoor air quality becomes increasingly important! With this in mind, we wanted to take a few minutes to point out some simple ways to improve the air quality within your home this winter.

Assess Air Filters

Checking, changing, and cleaning your air filter regularly will not only allow your HVAC system to perform more efficiently, but it will promote better overall air quality. While we typically recommend using 4” to 5” thick pleated media air filters as opposed to electronic filters, we don’t normally recommend the 1” pleated filters due to potentially restricted air flow. Don’t hesitate to consult a professional to determine what the best option is for your home’s indoor air quality.

Keep the Chemicals Away

Just as you may feel trapped inside when the weather is cold, the air within your home can also become trapped; usually as a result of sealing your home in an attempt to save energy. Because of this, various chemicals, like those found in cleaning solutions, can fill the air within your home. Consider keeping cleaning products away from your return air grilles and indoor equipment. If possible, consider storing them in the garage or outdoors to avoid filling your home with unnecessary air pollutants.

Use a Dehumidifier

Since there is typically quite a bit of moisture (high humidity) in the air here on the Outer Banks, a central dehumidifier with high-efficiency air filtration is a great option for lowering humidity levels while helping to control allergens within the air.

Go Green

Houseplants are much more than just an aesthetically pleasing addition to your home. Acting as natural air filters, houseplants help to filter some of the harmful toxins out of the air within your home.

Do you want to improve the quality of the indoor air within your Outer Banks, NC home this winter? Contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Outer Banks for additional information or to schedule your next home check-up.