Preparing Your Home for Winter Weather

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER WEATHER WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR INDOOR AIR QUALITY OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS WHEN TEMPERATURES ALLOW Indoor air can become stuffy in the winter Use the kitchen exhaust after cooking to keep air fresh Opening the house for even a few minutes can help KEEP YOUR HOUSE CLEAN Dust and particles can build up around your home Vacuum regularly and mop with water to get anything left behind A clean house reduces allergens and allergic reactions DON'T SMOKE INSIDE Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals Indoor smoking exposes others to dangerous secondhand smoke If you or your guests smoke, do so outside TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES Dirt and chemicals can enter your house on your shoes Keep doormats at all entrances and take shoes off before entering Tracking in less dirt will improve air quality and make cleaning easier CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTERS Central heating filters should be changed once a month Use HEPA filters to further reduce allergens entering the home New air filters also improve your HVAC system's efficiency KEEP THE AIR MOIST Cold, dry winter air can aggravate allergies Consider using humidifiers in bedrooms for more comfortable air Ask an HVAC expert about installing a whole-house humidifier HAVE YOUR AIR DUCTS CLEANED Dirt, dust, and allergens can build up in your ducts Have your ducts professionally cleaned before winter hits Cleaning prevents extra dirt and dust from being circulated in your home INFOGRAPHIC PROVIDED BY: Clarke & Rush www.heatingairconditioningsacramento.com Trusted since 1963 Clarke & Rush providing Green Technology today! Sources: http://www.theforecaster.net/news/print/2013/09/25/improve- indoor-air-quality-winter-approaches/168524 http://www.care2.com/greenliving/stop-winter-indoor-air-pollution.html http://women.webmd.com/home-health-and-safety-9/indoor-air