What You Need to Know About Wintertime Indoor Air Quality

What You Need to Know About Wintertime Indoor Air Quality

Warm weather presents the opportunity to air out your home by keeping the windows open and enjoying the refreshing breeze. On the other hand, people are more inclined to separate themselves from the outside world during the winter, instead relying on Orlando home AC and heating services to keep them comfortable. This elevates the importance of the quality of your indoor air. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about wintertime indoor air quality.

Pollutants

Your indoor air quality can be impaired by a multitude of different household pollutants. During the winter, these pollutants are more likely to be trapped inside the home rather than ventilating through screen doors and open windows. Household pollutants often come from combustion products, which come from appliances like heaters, stoves, and fireplaces. Failing to conduct regular HVAC inspections may increase your risk of exposure to harmful gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Smoke from the use of any type of tobacco product is also a strong pollutant that can affect nonsmokers to a similar extent that it affects smokers.

Health Effects

Carbon monoxide is an especially dangerous pollutant because it cannot be seen or smelled. It silently prevents your body from absorbing an adequate amount of oxygen and can produce such effects as headaches, disorientation, and nausea. Those who suffer from chronic heart disease are also likely to experience worsened chest pains. Unlike carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide is visibly detectable; it appears as a red-brown gas and also comes with a wealth of unpleasant side effects. These include shortness of breath, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and even respiratory infection.

Exposure

Protect yourself from these pollutants by reducing your exposure. Make sure that you maintain your air conditioning and heating systems so that they can efficiently filter your air. Have your HVAC repair specialist take a look at your appliances on a routine basis in order to extend their working lives. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation in areas where combustion occurs inside the home, and keep your use of tobacco products outside to prevent the risks associated with secondhand smoke inhalation.