Improve Your Oregon Home’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) This Winter

When winter arrives in the Greater Portland area, most of us start spending more time indoors, with windows closed, the heat running, and rain drizzling outside.

Although our winters are mild, compared to other parts of the country, we deal with many of the same winter indoor air quality issues. Even with daytime high temperatures in the 50s and 40s, we rely on a dependable heating system for indoor comfort. But heating, sealed-tight houses, and closed windows and doors contribute to indoor air issues in Portland:

• Dry indoor air
• Stale air
• Musty smells
• Dust buildup
• Allergens

As HVAC professionals at Pyramid Heating and Cooling, we discuss indoor air quality issues with homeowners every winter, both in the Greater Portland area and Bend. The good news is that these common problems are fixable. Read on to learn what you can do to keep your home’s air clean, healthy, and comfortable, and what we can do to help. But first, let’s look at why indoor air quality changes when outdoor temperatures dip.

Why Does IAQ Decline in Winter?

Let’s start with windows and doors. You likely keep them closed during the winter to retain heat. From an energy-saving standpoint, keeping windows closed makes sense, but it also reduces natural ventilation.

Without fresh outdoor air entering your home, pollutants become trapped inside. These include contaminants such as dust and dust mites, cleaning chemicals and aerosols, pet dander, mold spores, cooking byproducts, fireplace smoke, and off-gassing from furniture, carpets, and other products.

Over time, the concentration of these airborne contaminants increases, especially in tightly sealed homes.

In some Portland homes, wood stoves and fireplaces are primary or supplemental heat sources. They can contribute to indoor particulates and carbon monoxide if not properly vented or maintained.

Your central heating system can recirculate indoor air. If your furnace or heat pump hasn’t been serviced recently, you haven’t replaced its air filter, or the ductwork has accumulated dust, the indoor air circulating repeatedly into your living space may carry particulate matter and disperse it throughout your home.

With every heating cycle, the air that keeps you warm and cozy may carry contaminants with it.

Is Indoor Air Dry in Multnomah County?

Compared to the Midwest, where winter air can be extremely dry, our coastal humidity means we don’t experience the same level of winter dryness. However, indoor air can still become dry when the heating system kicks in.

Heating cold air reduces the relative humidity in your home to the point where you notice:

• Dry skin or chapped lips
• Scratchy throat
• Static electricity
• Dry or irritated eyes
• Warped wood floors
• Cracks in wood furniture

Oregonians don’t experience extreme dry air like some homeowners in colder states do. Our humidity doesn’t usually drop to extreme lows, but even moderate humidity loss can lead to discomfort, respiratory irritation, and increased dust circulation.

How Milder Coastal Winters Affect Indoor Air

The Pacific Northwest’s winter climate creates a unique indoor air environment.

Frequent rain and high outdoor humidity increase the likelihood of mold and mildew indoors, particularly in older homes, poorly ventilated bathrooms, or basements. Warm indoor air meeting cold exterior walls can also create condensation, another contributor to mold growth.

While heating cold air can cause dryness, our milder climate often leads to the problem of trapped moisture in your home. Cooking, showering, and even breathing create moisture. If that moisture can’t escape, it condenses on cold surfaces like windows and walls, creating the perfect, damp environment for mold and mildew growth.

DIY Tips for Improving IAQ in Your Portland, Home

You can make a significant difference in indoor air quality with a few simple habits:

Change Your Air Filter: Examine your HVAC air filter every month. Replace standard, one-inch filters every one to three months. Read the manufacturer’s instructions on replacement frequency for filters with higher MERV ratings. Some high-efficiency filters last between six and 12 months before requiring replacement.

Consider upgrading to a pleated filter with a MERV rating of 11 or higher if possible. One of our Pyramid Heating & Cooling professionals can determine if your heating system is capable of handling a high-efficiency air filter. Filters with higher MERV ratings can capture smaller particles.

A clean filter traps dust, pollen, dander, and pollutants more effectively, and allows unrestricted airflow.

Use Exhaust Fans: Run kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans while cooking or showering to reduce moisture and improve ventilation.

Control Humidity: Aim for an indoor humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. A small, portable humidifier can help if your air feels dry. A dehumidifier may be necessary in damp areas like basements.

Keep Your Home Clean: Dust and vacuum frequently, especially if you have pets. Use a vacuum with a HEPA-filter for best results.

Open a Window: A short burst of fresh air works wonders. Briefly open a window or two for five to 10 minutes during the warmest part of the day. Strategically ventilating your home will dilute accumulated pollutants and excess moisture without drastically lowering the temperature in your home.

Curb Combustion: Limit the use of your fireplace or wood-burning stove unless it is your primary heat source and is adequately vented. Smoke is composed of microscopic particles that can irritate your eyes, nose, and respiratory system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says fine particles can aggravate asthma symptoms and trigger heart attacks and strokes. If you must use a wood stove, consider upgrading to an EPA-certified model. You can also search for your wood stove on the EPA’s certified wood stove database.

How HVAC Professionals Improve IAQ

You can build on your DIY improvements by partnering with Pyramid Heating & Cooling. Our team will assess the indoor air in your home and recommend solutions tailored to your IAQ needs. Here are a few options:

Heating System Maintenance: A tuned and cleaned system runs more efficiently and distributes cleaner air. We recommend an annual heating system tune-up.

Duct Cleaning: Leaky ducts can pull contaminants from the surrounding air in your crawlspace, attic, or basement, and distribute them throughout your home. Debris can also accumulate inside your ductwork. We handle both problems. We can inspect and seal leaky ductwork and thoroughly remove debris from air ducts.

Whole-Home Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers: These devices integrate with your HVAC system to maintain the ideal amount of moisture in indoor air. We can recommend the best system for your home if it needs help balancing humidity levels.

Air Purification: We install high-quality air purifiers and filtration upgrades, including HEPA filtration, activated carbon filters, and UV-C solutions that neutralize viruses, bacteria, and mold spores.

Improving Ventilation

From energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) to updated exhaust systems, improved ventilation brings in fresh air without sacrificing comfort. An ERV, for example, exchanges stale, polluted indoor air with fresh outdoor air, managing the moisture and heat in the air being exchanged. It ventilates without sacrificing energy efficiency.

Prioritize Improved IAQ This Winter

By combining good daily habits with professional HVAC solutions, you can enjoy clean air in your home year-round in Portland, OR. Let Pyramid Heating and Cooling provide proven solutions for a healthier, more comfortable living environment. Call us at (503) 404-3337 or request service online.