When cold and cloudy weather comes rolling in, there’s nothing better than getting cozy and turning on the heating. However, if a change in season leaves you feeling under the weather, your heating system might be to blame.
Find out if your home’s heating system is making you sick, and what you can do about it.
Signs Your Heating is Making You Sick
Winter weather is often accompanied by sniffles and minor colds. However, if you notice that your cold isn’t going away and appeared at exactly the same time you turned up the heat in your home, your air ducts might be the problem.
Although research linking air ducts and illness is still in its early stages, the EPA states that air ducts with substantial mold build-up can cause health issues. This is especially true for people with asthma and other existing conditions.
Heating systems also tend to dry out your environment by removing all of the moisture from the air. This can also lead to a sore throat, dry and itchy eyes, and general discomfort brought on by dehydration.
Keep the Sickness at Bay
There are a few things you can do to make sure that your home is warm, cozy, and dust particle-free and your heating system is in good shape. With a few adjustments, you can also keep the heating on without worrying about dehydration.
Keep Your House Clean
The first step is to keep your environment clean in general. Dust surfaces and vacuum regularly to get rid of dust particles.
If your home is carpeted, it’s a good idea to get a professional cleaning service semi-regularly to give your space a thorough cleaning. This is because carpeted floors tend to build up a lot more dust.
Keeping your general environment clean and tidy will lessen the build-up of dirt particles in your air vents.
Open Windows
To allow for a good flow of fresh air, open your windows occasionally. It might not be great for the cold weather, but keeping your windows shut and your heater on keeps stale, dirty air circulating.
Get a Humidifier
This one is important if you’re suffering from irritation caused by dry air. Humidifiers can lessen your symptoms by adding moisture back into your environment that the heating sucks out. You’ll be surprised at the difference a little bit more moisture makes to your health.
Keep Your Heating System Clean
While the above steps will certainly help, cleaning your air ducts is the most important step in keeping your heating system safe. This can be a tricky task to undertake on your own, so when it comes to cleaning your air ducts, it’s always best to call in a residential cleaning service that can complete the job quickly and effectively.
The EPA recommends that you call in a professional cleaning service if you suspect mold growth, vermin, or an excessive amount of dust build-up.
The Importance of Cleaning Air Ducts
Whether you’re concerned about your heating system or your air conditioning, dirty air ducts can be a concern. For a worry-free winter, it’s best to call in a cleaning and maintenance service to check up on your air ducts.
For more information on keeping your air ducts and the rest of your home environment spick and span, get in touch today.