When the weather outside turns cold and blustery, people spend more time huddling indoors to stay safe and warm. But many don’t realize there’s a hidden threat inside during the winter – poor air quality.

Tightly sealed homes that trap pollutants, dry air, viruses, and dangers of VOC or carbon monoxide (CO) exposure can compromise your home's air quality in the winter, leading to health issues such as dry skin, itchy eyes, respiratory irritation, and allergy flare-ups.

During the winter, it’s crucial to maintain appliances, use proper ventilation, and install HVAC air purification devices such as Maple Air Pür Plasma™, which removes contaminants 15 times better than traditional purifiers.

Common Winter Indoor Air Problems

From pollutants such as dust and VOCs to dangerous carbon monoxide, here are a few contaminants to watch for this winter:

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is called the “silent killer” because it’s a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can be fatal at high levels. CO exposure occurs when fuel-burning appliances are poorly ventilated, clogged, or working improperly. When this happens, carbon monoxide can leak into living areas through backdrafting, damaged vents, cracked furnace parts, or fumes seeping in from attached garages.

Common sources of CO include:

• Gas furnaces, boilers, or water heaters that are malfunctioning or poorly vented
• Gas or wood fireplaces with blocked chimneys or flues
• Gas stoves or ovens used for heating
• Portable generators running too close to the home or in garages
• Cars left running in attached garages

Carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Because it’s colorless and odorless, many people don’t realize they’ve been exposed until they start feeling sick. CO poisoning – not related to fires – causes about 400 deaths each year in the U.S. and 100,000 emergency room visits, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Viruses

Viruses are more common in the winter because cold, dry air helps them survive longer. Many viruses – like flu, RSV, and coronavirus – have a fatty outer coating that becomes more stable in these conditions.

With windows closed and heaters constantly running, indoor spaces such as homes, schools, daycares, and offices are more crowded and poorly ventilated, raising the chance of exposure.

Shorter days and weaker sunlight reduce vitamin D, which leaves our bodies more vulnerable. Cold, dry air also makes the mucus lining in our noses and lungs less effective at trapping pathogens. Together, these factors make it easier for viruses to enter the body and replicate, which is why infections spike as temperatures drop.

Dry Indoor Air

Chapped lips, bloody noses, and dry skin are common during colder months. Dry indoor air in the winter occurs because cold outdoor air contains very little moisture, and when this air is heated inside, the humidity drops even more.

When the air inside dries up, your health and home suffer. You might notice more static shocks, scratchy throats, or even your wood furniture or floors beginning to crack. Using portable or whole-house humidifiers can balance humidity levels so your home is more comfortable and easier to breathe in.

Indoor Pollutants

Modern homes are tightly sealed to keep warm air in during the winter and energy costs down, but this can trap irritants inside. Dust, pet dander, mold spores, and VOCs from furniture or cleaning products may build up because they have nowhere to go, leading to common causes of winter indoor air pollution.

With closed windows and reduced ventilation, indoor air becomes stagnant, allowing these pollutants to linger longer than they would in warmer months. This creates a range of winter indoor air quality problems, especially for people with allergies or asthma.

Heated indoor air tends to stir up dust and allergens and spread them around the home. Using exhaust fans or running a whole-home air purifier keeps the air moving during the winter to reduce pollutants.

Radon

Radon can be more of a problem during the winter because homes are sealed up tight, which traps gases that naturally seep in from the soil. Exposure to high radon levels is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Checking your home with a simple radon test kit is an easy way to make sure radons levels stay safe during the colder months.

Signs of Poor Winter Indoor Air Quality

Your home – as well as your health – can leave clues about winter indoor air quality problems. Common signs to watch for include:

• Dry, itchy skin and irritated eyes or throat.
• Fatigue, headaches, and allergy flare-ups.
• Musty or chemical odors in rooms.
• Extra dust buildup on furniture or around vents.
• Stuffy or stagnant air that makes rooms feel closed-in.
• Increased static electricity around the home.
• Condensation on windows or visible mold in corners.
• Worsening asthma or respiratory symptoms when indoors.

How to Improve Winter Indoor Air Quality

Humidity Control

During the depths of winter, it can be very difficult to keep humidity levels at 30% or higher, especially in homes in Northern states such as Minnesota, North Dakota, and Michigan. Homes in cold regions often have tightly sealed construction, extremely cold outdoor temperatures, and a heavy reliance on heating systems.

To keep humidity levels between 30-50%, use humidifiers alongside air purification systems to optimize air quality. Whole-house humidifiers attach directly to your HVAC system to add moisture to your entire home.

Install CO Detectors

Since carbon monoxide is nearly impossible to detect, you should install detectors throughout your home. Air quality experts recommend placing them on every floor, including the basement, and outside all bedrooms.

If your alarm goes off or you suspect a carbon monoxide leak, leave your home quickly and call 911 or your local utility company.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Replacing HVAC filters every couple of months and keeping moisture in check are important for good indoor air quality in the winter. Clean filters block dust and allergens from spreading, while managing humidity prevents mold. Even in winter, moisture can build up from leaks or condensation, so tackle damp spots before they become a problem. You should also have your heating system maintained by a professional in the fall to ensure it’s safe and operating properly.

Grooming your pets more often can help reduce the extra dander, hair, and allergens they shed while spending more time indoors.

Ventilation Tips

Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when you’re bathing and cooking, respectively, to filter out odors and other pollutants. You can also run your HVAC system in “fan mode” for continuous air circulation, even when your heater isn’t running, to help keep air moving and prevent irritants from building up.

Good Hygiene

Regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact when you’re feeling ill can prevent the spread of many common respiratory viruses. Many people improve airflow to prevent virus particles from lingering in the air and add air purification devices.

Air Purification with Maple Air

For the best results in improving indoor air quality during the winter, combine these tips with installing Maple Air Pür Plasma™. Maple Air’s plasma-based technology neutralizes harmful winter pollutants like chemical residues, viruses, radon, bacteria, and mold spores at the source. It’s also the only solution effective at breaking down harmful gases.

Maple Air provides continuous, 24/7 protection for homes during the winter. This ozone-free, 100% organic air purifier is highly effective at eliminating contaminants from the air and surfaces, and is trusted by hotels, gyms, and universities for busy spaces. It’s also affordable, easy to install, low maintenance, and inexpensive to run.

Breathe Better This Winter with Maple Air

Winter can make indoor air dry, stagnant, and harder to breathe in, increasing health risks and discomfort. Dust, allergens, gases, and poor circulation are common problems, but taking simple steps like installing Maple Air Pür Plasma™ improves indoor air quality during the winter months for a cleaner, healthier environment.

Contact Maple Air today to order your new air purification system.