While there are different measures that can be taken to help prevent illness, there’s one that tends to go unnoticed but can have a huge impact – the quality of the air we breathe indoors. Explore how better indoor air quality (IAQ) can help you during cold and flu season, helping you and your guests breathe easier, and stay healthier and safer in the months ahead.
Given that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, the quality of the air we breathe within our homes plays a significant role in our overall health and susceptibility to respiratory illnesses.
Here’s how you can improve your indoor air quality to bolster your defenses against colds and the flu:
#1: Manage home humidity levels
What is humidity? It’s the level of moisture in the air and it can affect how you feel. Achieving the ideal indoor humidity in the winter months doesn’t have to be hard. Humidity levels naturally drop when the temperature drops.
| Low Indoor Humidity under 30% can cause |
Optimal Indoor Humidity 30%-50% can cause | High Indoor Humidity above 55% can cause |
| Dry skin, lips, and hair | Comfort | Clammy feeling at 55% |
| Scratchy throat, cough | Optimal humidity means you can raise the thermostat temperature in the summer and still be comfortable | At 60% or above, mold and mildew can thrive |
| Bloody nose, respiratory symptoms | Optimal humidity means you can lower the temperature in the winter and still be comfortable | The home can smell musty |
| Dry and cracking wood | No damage to your home | Peeling paint |
| Static electricity | Healthier air | Rotting wood |
To help avoid (or soothe) sore throats and congestion, take steps to achieve the best humidity level for your home in winter. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the optimal indoor humidity is between 30-50%.
The best humidity level for the home in winter to help prevent dry skin, scratchy throats, and damage to your wood floors is between 30% and 40%. Never let the indoor humidity rise above 60% – this level promotes mold and mildew growth, an increase in dust mites, and breathing difficulties in some people.
One effective way to manage indoor humidity is by installing a whole-house humidifier. It’s an effective solution for every room in your home – not just the room where someone has a cold. When you pair it with a smart thermostat, you can set your preferred humidity and control it from the palm of your hand with the Trane Home App.
#2: Change your HVAC air filters
You need to change your HVAC air filters regularly to help keep allergens and pollutants out of the air you breathe. Consult our filter cleaning and maintenance guide for more information. In addition, consider upgrading your filters to a higher MERV rating or even to a whole-house air cleaner. More on the benefits of that below, in #5.
#3: Consider air duct cleaning
If your home is more than 10 years old and you’ve never had your ducts cleaned, then cold and flu season may be a good time to consider air duct cleaning. Over time, dust and debris can build up inside your ductwork.
This can lead to more dust in the air you breathe, aggravating any respiratory symptoms you already have. It can also create an environment for mold and mildew. If you decide to go ahead with duct cleaning, be sure to hire a reputable company. Your HVAC company may be able to recommend someone.
#4: Improve ventilation
Adequate ventilation is essential to avoiding common cold and flu symptoms, especially in tightly sealed, energy-efficient homes. Whole-house ventilators help manage temperature and humidity levels while exhausting stale air and indoor pollutants. Energy recovery ventilators can also enhance heating and cooling efficiency.
#5: Install a whole-home electronic air cleaner
Unlike standard HVAC filters, electronic air cleaners use electrostatic collection cells to capture particles, including viruses. One notable example is the Trane CleanEffects® whole-house air purification system. It’s certified as asthma and allergy-friendly™ by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Independent testing has found the air cleaner has been documented to remove more than 99% of airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 microns, including mold spores, allergens, bacteria, and some pollen¹. Compared to traditional HEPA room filters, it is eight times more effective and up to 100 times more effective than a standard 1-inch filter. Furthermore, it reduces potential asthma and allergy triggers, minimizing the need for frequent dusting. Additionally, this system is easy to clean and does not require costly filter replacements.
