What’s in the Air You’re Breathing? How to Improve Indoor Air Quality This Fall

When Wisconsin temperatures begin to fall, we naturally start spending more time indoors.

Windows that stayed open during summer are closed. The furnace starts running. The house gets sealed up against the cold.

But while you’re thinking about keeping warm air inside, there’s something else worth considering:

What’s in the air you’re breathing?

Indoor air quality can have a major impact on how comfortable your home feels, and fall is a great time to take a closer look at the air moving through your house.

At Badger Heating & Air Conditioning, heating and cooling isn’t just about temperature. Our goal is to help homeowners throughout Stevens Point, Plover, Wisconsin Rapids, Waupaca and Central Wisconsin create comfortable indoor environments throughout the year.

Here’s what homeowners should know about indoor air quality as we head into another Wisconsin heating season.

Why Indoor Air Quality Becomes Important in Fall and Winter

Think about how your home operates in July compared with January.

During mild weather, you may open doors and windows and naturally introduce more outdoor air. During a Wisconsin winter, your house can remain closed for days or weeks at a time.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains that inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels because there isn’t enough outdoor air entering the home to dilute pollutants or carry them outside.

Winter weather can make that challenge more noticeable because we tend to keep our homes closed while increasing the use of heating systems.

That’s one reason September is an excellent time to think about indoor air quality rather than waiting until you’re spending nearly all your time inside.

What’s Affecting the Air Inside Your Home?

There isn’t one single cause of poor indoor air quality.

Particles and pollutants can come from a variety of sources, including dust, pet dander, cleaning products, cooking, building materials, combustion appliances and outdoor pollutants that make their way inside.

Moisture also matters.

The EPA notes that temperature and humidity can affect indoor pollutant concentrations and recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%.

You can read more about the EPA’s recommendations for improving indoor air quality.

Start With Your HVAC Filter

One of the simplest places to start is your HVAC filter.

Your central heating and cooling system circulates air throughout your home, and its filter helps capture particles from that moving air.

But filters don’t last forever.

A filter that’s overdue for replacement may become loaded with debris and restrict airflow. Check your filter regularly and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding replacement.

Not sure what type of filter your system should use? Ask your HVAC technician.

Choosing a filter isn’t simply a matter of buying the one with the highest rating you can find. Your filter needs to be appropriate for your particular HVAC system and its airflow requirements.

Have Your HVAC System Professionally Maintained

Your furnace is about to spend several months circulating heated air through your home.

September is a good time to make sure it’s ready.

Professional furnace and HVAC maintenance can help keep equipment clean, calibrated and operating properly.

During an HVAC inspection, a technician can also identify problems that could affect performance or comfort before your furnace begins running continuously.

Badger offers preventative maintenance options for both residential and commercial heating and cooling systems.

Think Beyond Temperature

Many homeowners think about HVAC in two settings:

Hot? Turn on the air conditioner.

Cold? Turn on the furnace.

Modern home comfort can go much further than simply heating or cooling the air.

Indoor air quality solutions may help address concerns involving airborne particles, humidity and overall air quality.

Badger provides air purification solutions as part of our residential heating and cooling services, allowing homeowners to consider indoor air quality as part of their overall HVAC system.

If dust, pet dander or other airborne particles are a concern in your home, ask what options may work with your existing system.

Don’t Forget About Ventilation

Sealing a home can help reduce unwanted heat loss, but a tighter house still needs appropriate ventilation.

The EPA explains that weatherization without adequate ventilation can contribute to indoor air quality problems. Everyday activities such as cooking and showering add moisture to indoor air, while other household activities can introduce additional pollutants.

Ventilation helps remove or dilute some of those pollutants.

That doesn’t mean opening all your windows during a January snowstorm. Depending on the home, mechanical ventilation and HVAC-based solutions may provide more practical ways to manage indoor air.

The EPA offers more information about the connection between weatherization, ventilation and indoor air quality.

Control Indoor Humidity

Wisconsin homes can experience humidity challenges at different times of year.

Too much indoor moisture can create uncomfortable conditions and contribute to mold growth. Air that’s extremely dry can also make a home feel uncomfortable during winter.

The EPA recommends maintaining indoor relative humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%.

If humidity is consistently outside a comfortable range, talk with an HVAC professional about what may be contributing to the problem and whether a whole-home solution makes sense.

Could Your HVAC System Be Part of the Problem?

Sometimes homeowners focus on air purification products when the underlying HVAC system needs attention.

Poor airflow, dirty components, ductwork issues or an aging system may all influence comfort and air circulation.

That’s why a whole-home approach is important.

Rather than treating one symptom, an HVAC professional can look at how your furnace, air conditioner, filtration, ductwork, ventilation and other components work together.

Badger services all makes and models and provides HVAC repair, maintenance and replacement throughout Central Wisconsin.

What About Geothermal?

If you’re thinking beyond routine maintenance and considering a different approach to heating and cooling your home, geothermal is another option worth exploring.

Badger offers geothermal heating and cooling as part of its comfort solutions for Central Wisconsin homeowners.

Geothermal systems use relatively stable underground temperatures as part of the heating and cooling process. For homeowners planning a major HVAC upgrade, new construction project or long-term home improvement, it’s worth asking whether geothermal could be appropriate for the property.

It’s not the right solution for every home, but a professional evaluation can help you understand your options.

Create a Healthier, More Comfortable Home This Fall

Fall is about more than preparing your furnace for cold weather.

It’s also an opportunity to think about the environment you’ll be living in for the next several months.

Start with the basics: change your HVAC filter, manage moisture, use ventilation appropriately and schedule preventative HVAC maintenance.

Then consider whether your home’s filtration, air purification, heating or ventilation systems could be improved.

The goal isn’t simply a warmer home.

It’s a home that feels comfortable every time you walk through the door.

Your Central Wisconsin Indoor Comfort Experts

Badger Heating & Air Conditioning has served the Stevens Point area since 1994, providing residential and commercial HVAC repair, installation and maintenance.

We proudly serve Stevens Point, Plover, Wisconsin Rapids, Waupaca and communities throughout Central Wisconsin, including Amherst, Amherst Junction, Rosholt, Mosinee, Iola, Custer, Bancroft, Almond, Plainfield, Junction City and Scandinavia.

Whether you need furnace maintenance, heating repair, a new HVAC system, air purification solutions, geothermal options or help determining the right comfort solution for your home, our team can help.

Contact Badger Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule service or request a free, no-obligation estimate.

And if your heating or cooling system suddenly stops working and you need immediate assistance, Badger offers 24-hour emergency HVAC service at 888-388-4883.