Early autumn and indoor air quality

Autumn indoor air quality
Unfortunately, the crisp autumn air brings with it a number of problems. Did you know that as we enter autumn and anticipate cooler, wetter weather, the air quality in your home is likely to deteriorate? Just in time for the official start of fall, take the time to evaluate the air quality in your home. Here are six problems your home or office air quality could suffer from in the fall, and six simple solutions that will keep your indoor air fresh and healthy this season.

1. Poor air circulation

During the warmer months, it's common to have windows and doors open. This lets in fresh air while providing plenty of natural ventilation to your indoor space. However, during autumn weather, the weather conditions don't allow for this, whether it's too cold outside or we tend to keep windows and doors closed due to frequent wet weather.
When you close the windows, you not only cut off the cold from outside, but also the source of fresh air. With less circulation, dirt and bacteria have a better chance of taking hold indoors and thus worsening the air quality.

2. Autumn allergies

There are many types of particles and varieties of pollen that cause allergy symptoms throughout the year. While most assume that allergy season is only in the spring months, fall is also a big season for allergy sufferers. There are even more major allergens occurring during the fall.

Ambrosia is especially common in the fall, as it blooms in August and pollinates throughout the fall until temperatures reach the freezing point. This weedy plant increases pollen levels in the autumn and irritates seasonal allergy sufferers.

Unfortunately, those who suffer from spring allergies are just as likely to suffer from autumn allergies. The best solution for allergy sufferers is air filters in air purifiers, which can play a vital role in improving their indoor comfort. This is especially so because the highly efficient filters are great at trapping air particles, even the smallest indoor pollutants.

3. Low humidity

It may be more noticeable in some locations than others, but humidity levels change for everyone in early fall. As it gets colder, the outdoor air becomes drier. Additionally, when you switch on the heat in the cool fall to keep your home warm, even that unfortunately dries out the air further. As a result, most homes have noticeably drier air throughout the fall.

The fall months are the beginning of chapped lips and skin on the hands. As a result, many people fill their homes with portable room humidifiers. These are essential for keeping indoor humidity levels in the ideal range of 40-60%. However, it is important to choose the right model to match the size of the room.

4. Cold and flu season

Autumn isn't just the season of pumpkin patches and changing leaf colours. It's also the start of cold and flu season! This means more and more illnesses to fight. The colder the air gets and the more we are forced to stay indoors, the easier it is for airborne illnesses to spread. Without realising it, particles of all sorts of viruses can circulate in the air.

Fortunately, there are combination devices that combine the best of air purifiers and humidifiers. These are a great step towards reducing illness in the home. Providing ideal humidity in your home will help keep the occupants' mucous membranes healthy and keep viral particles and bacteria at bay. Additionally, the purifying function helps reduce the number of germs in the air.

5. Likely increase in pollution

In many areas, fall comes with increased air pollution. This occurs for several reasons. First, more people drive during the colder months. And we know that tailpipe emissions are a significant source of air pollution. In addition, homes and businesses are heating more to ensure a comfortable indoor temperature. This massive increase in energy use across the country is contributing to more air pollution. And when there is more outdoor air pollution, indoor air pollution is likely to increase as well.

Air purifiers are one of the best ways to reduce indoor air pollutants and improve air quality in the home. They are the ideal solution for cleaner air with low operation and maintenance requirements.

Take control of your home's air quality this autumn

While there are changes in the air and environment during the fall that you can't control, you have power over the air you breathe in your home. In fact, it's the only space you truly have control over. That's why we recommend investing in healthy indoor air quality in the form of reliable climate control equipment. If you're unsure of what to choose, give us a call or email us. We'll be happy to advise you on which devices are right for you.