The holidays are finally here, and it’s time to get busy preparing your home for holiday guests. But there’s more to consider than food, presents, and holiday decorations. You also want to create an environment that is physically comfortable and free of obnoxious odors, dust, and airborne pollutants.
Here are four ways to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in your home when inviting friends and family over during the holidays.
1. Install a Clean Furnace Filter
Most people only think of their central heating system as a way to keep the house warm during the winter. But remember that your HVAC system also acts as an air purifier. Your furnace filter traps all kinds of airborne pollutants like dust, pet dander, and pollen. It even reduces odors from cigarette smoke.
However, your filter needs to be changed out every one to three months. Otherwise, it gets too dirty. When that happens, efficiency drops, and your furnace and filter struggle to do their job.
2. Deep-Clean Those High-Traffic Areas
To improve IAQ and reduce household odors, a deep cleaning of those hard-to-reach spots in your home also makes a difference. You’ll want to clean every part of your home throughout the year.
Since time is often limited during the holiday season, focus on rooms where houseguests will spend the most time. Thoroughly clean your living room, dining room, kitchen, and den. Give special attention to the bathrooms. Declutter, dust, vacuum, and sanitize all these high-traffic areas.
3. Upgrade Your HVAC System
If you want to keep your family and guests from breathing in pet odors, allergens, cigarette smoke, bacteria, and other airborne pollutants, an air purification upgrade is worth looking into.
We know that this IAQ solution is a big investment, but installing a whole-home air cleaner can make a massive improvement in your indoor air quality and comfort. It’s an investment that pays dividends every day for years and years.
4. Improve Air Circulation and Airflow
When you have a dozen or more people clustered together in one or two rooms for a whole day, the air tends to get stale and musty. The key to reducing those annoying smells and body odors is to keep the air moving. Ceiling fans and oscillating fans can do a great job of circulating the air within each room and even help to move air from one room to another.
Your furnace also plays a role in circulating air, but if your air ducts haven’t been cleaned in ages, there could be a lot of dust building up inside them. Cleaning the ductwork keeps dust from blowing throughout the house. Be aware, though, that air ducts are fragile and easily damaged. So, this is a job best left to professionals.
Don’t let embarrassing odors and stuffy air put a damper on your holiday gatherings. Follow these tips to improve indoor air quality before opening up your home to guests this holiday season. And reach out to Hardy Heating to explore indoor air quality upgrades for your home in Wasilla, AK.
