How to Maintain Great Indoor Air Quality During the Winter Months

As the winter months set in, getting cozy in a warm home is what most people look forward to. Even if you have a decent central air or heating system installed, your home’s heating comfort potential may not be as high as you thought. When was the last time you checked for leaks? How much electricity or fuel are you using? As you ask these questions and check your home, here are a few details to help you understand what it takes to maintain a comfortable, efficient heating system in the winter. Is Your Home Properly Sealed? In order to heat (or even cool) efficiently, a home needs to be well-sealed. This means covering up as many cracks, gaps, holes or other openings that can’t be sealed as easily as opening or closing a door or window. This doesn’t mean your home needs to become a sealed-off laboratory or hermetically sealed container — although you could make that happen with remodeling and the right materials. You just need to get rid of any gaps that allow outside air to critically interfere with inside air. What does critically interfere mean? The rate varies, but as a consumer, it means enough to...

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Does Your Home Need a Humidifier in the Winter?

Winter for most people means that socks and sweaters are put on, along with your home’s heating system. Unfortunately, heating systems mean dry air, which cause a host of problems for the health of your family and the health of your home. Whole home humidifiers work with your current heating system to maintain the appropriate level of moisture in the air – saving you from expensive medical bills and home repair. Humidifiers also have the added benefit of lowering your heating bills! Dry air does not carry heat efficiently, instead, it leaves us feeling “chilled to the bone.” A humidifier is the perfect solution and will result in a healthier, happier home. Determing If Your Home Needs a Humidifier But how do you go about determining if your home needs a humidifier? The first thing most people notice when the heat gets turned on is the drying out of their skin. Common symptoms are chapped lips, itching, and flaking skin, even nosebleeds. While these may seem like minor inconveniences, they can lead to further health problems by allowing bacteria in through the damaged skin. You may also notice a dry throat and cough that seem persistent when you are at...

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