Winter in North Idaho and Eastern Washington usually means cozy nights indoors, warm fires, and heating systems working overtime. But if your air ducts haven’t been cleaned, all that time inside might not be as cozy and comfortable as it should be. Your recirculating heating system could be exposing you to dirty, unhealthy air.
Neglected ductwork doesn’t just reduce comfort; it can directly impact your health. Avoiding illness is hard enough during the winter; you’re exposed to cold air and moisture and have limited exposure to sunlight and fresh air. When your home is sealed tight against the winter cold, you want to be sure that the air you’re sealing in is as clean as possible.
At Dryer Ducks, we specialize in keeping air ducts clean and indoor air fresh so you can breathe easier. Here are five ways dirty air ducts can affect your well-being during the winter months.
1. Dust and Allergens Get Trapped Indoors
In the winter, most homes stay sealed up to keep the heat inside. That means less fresh air comes in from the outside and more air is recirculated inside. After a spring, summer, and fall of open windows and activity, your air ducts may have collected a lot of dust, pollen, pet hair, dander, and other allergens. That means that the air you are recirculating may be travelling an air duct gauntlet of dirt and allergens. Even if you change your air filter regularly, your filter may not be screening out all that debris that has built up in your ductwork and is blowing it into every room.
This constant exposure can make seasonal allergies and asthma worse, leaving you sneezing and congested when you should be comfortable.
2. Dry Air and Irritants Worsen Respiratory Issues
Winter air is naturally drier, which already puts stress on your throat, nose, and lungs. When combined with pollutants from dirty ducts, it’s a recipe for irritated airways. For those with asthma or other respiratory conditions, this dry, stale, dirty air can trigger flare-ups and make breathing more difficult during the months when you’re stuck indoors.
3. Dirty, Dry, Stale Air Can Disrupt Sleep
Even if you don’t have any respiratory ailments, dry, particle-filled air can cause congestion, snoring, or restless nights, leaving you tired and groggy during the day. Since winter days are already darker, poor sleep can make fatigue and low energy even worse. Those winter blues might not be just a result of the season; they might be caused by poor air quality.
4. Odors Circulate More in Closed-Up Homes
Ever notice a stale or musty smell when the heater turns on, or that last night’s dinner can still be sensed when you get up in the morning? In winter, when windows stay closed, odors from dirty ducts don’t have anywhere to escape. Instead, they circulate through your entire home.
What is more, your closed up house is adding to the problem. With less ventilation, odors and other particulates from cooking, lint from coats and blankets, and fur and dander from the family pets can increase the level of pollutants in your interior. Professional duct cleaning removes the dust, hair, and other buildup that cause those unpleasant wintertime smells, leaving your home fresher and more comfortable.
5. Dirty Air Impacts the Whole Family’s Health
From kids to grandparents, everyone in your household feels the effects of poor indoor air quality during winter. With more time spent indoors, the impact of dirty ducts compounds, leading to more allergy flare-ups, headaches, and respiratory irritation that can exacerbate winter illnesses like colds and the flu. For families with children, elderly relatives, or anyone with chronic health conditions, clean air is especially critical.
Winter Makes Air Duct Cleaning Essential: Get Ahead of the Season!
Homes across Spokane, Liberty Lake, Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Hayden, and surrounding areas rely heavily on their HVAC systems all winter long. Combined with limited ventilation and sealed-up houses, dirty ducts can quickly turn into a health hazard. A professional air duct cleaning ensures your home is circulating clean, fresh air instead of dust and contaminants, and can help your heating system run more efficiently.
At Dryer Ducks, we provide thorough air duct cleaning that removes dust, debris, and allergens from your system, so you can enjoy a healthier, more comfortable home this winter. Don’t let dirty ducts wreck your indoor air quality this winter. Keep your home safe, healthy, and comfortable with professional cleaning from Dryer Ducks. Call us today to obtain a quote and schedule your air duct cleaning so you and your family can breathe easier all season long.