Fight Cold & Flu Season with Improved Air Quality
As the air begins to cool, and winter finally sets in for the long haul, if you’re like many of us, you’re dreading the cold and flu season that’s about to come with it. While you can come down with the flu or a common cold all year round, the CDC says peak infection rates last from December to February.
Viruses, like the flu, a common cold, or even COVID-19, are airborne, meaning your home comfort system – your air quality like your air conditioner and furnace – plays a vital role in keeping you free from illness. While you should still do everything in your power to prevent illness – avoiding those who are sick, washing your hands regularly with soap and water, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth – taking the extra steps with your HVAC system is another way you can help prevent sickness.
Keep Air Moving
When the weather is milder, it can be tempting to shut off your HVAC system and take advantage of lower utility costs. However, you should keep your system running, even on ‘fan-only’ mode. Recently, studies have shown that stagnant air in your home can actually increase the spread of airborne illness.
Keeping your home’s air moving by running the fan will help it circulate through your air filters, allowing them to do their job and filter out harmful pathogens and allergens. As long as you’re replacing those filters regularly (monthly or every couple of months, depending on the brand), they will help keep your air clean and safe for you and your family.
Additionally, proper ventilation is another key component in keeping your air moving and free of airborne pathogens. If you don’t have a ventilation system installed, open the windows from time to time to let fresh air in to replace your stagnant stale indoor air.
Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
Again, keeping your surfaces clean and disinfected, and stocking plenty of hand soap and sanitizer are great ways to help prevent illness. But, there are other steps you can take to make the most of your indoor air quality and prevent germs from spreading.
If you don’t already own an air purifier, consider investing in one. You can even get whole-home purifiers that connect to your ductwork. They’re out of sight but still working all the time to keep your home sickness-free.
Additionally, UV Lamps can assist in killing harmful mold and bacteria that may form in your cooling coils. While this isn’t a specific strategy to kill cold and flu viruses, they can help by eliminating common allergens that make you sniffle and sneeze.
Furthermore, a humidifier can help keep you healthy! According to the National Institute for Health, the transmission of the influenza virus (flu) depends on both temperature and humidity. Purchasing a humidifier can make your home more comfortable, reduce static, and improve your air quality.
Let Ecoer Help Improve Your Air Quality
At Ecoer, we’re well versed in the home comfort needs of our customers. Whether you need a whole new HVAC system, are looking for the latest in smart thermostats, or want to try a gateway system that starts to repair your system before it breaks, we can help.
Our specially trained technicians – aka our HVAC Heroes – come top-rated, and are focused on giving you peace of mind. That’s why our work is backed by a ten-year warranty that covers ten years of parts, ten years of monitoring, and ten years of labor. Our customers can take comfort in knowing that our systems are set up for convenience; they’re designed to run optimally at all times.
Visit ecoer.com for more information, or contact us at https://www.ecoer.com/contact/.
