When temperatures drop in Texas, everyone rushes to keep warm. Space heaters come out of storage, fireplaces roar to life, and homes are sealed tight to hold in the heat. But while these efforts make your home cozy, they can also create hidden indoor air quality (IAQ) problems that often go unnoticed—until you start coughing, sneezing, or feeling stuffy indoors.
Cold snaps in Texas can arrive suddenly, and when they do, your home’s air can change in ways that affect your comfort and health. Here are a few of the most common IAQ issues that appear when the weather turns cold and how you can prevent them.
1. Poor Ventilation and Stale Air
When it’s chilly outside, it’s natural to close windows and seal up air leaks to conserve heat. The downside? You’re also sealing in airborne contaminants like dust, pet dander, and cleaning fumes. Without proper ventilation, pollutants recirculate through your HVAC system, leading to musty odors and irritation.
Tip: Consider using a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) to bring in fresh air without losing warmth. Even cracking a window for a few minutes each day can make a difference.
2. Dry Indoor Air
Cold air naturally holds less moisture, and when you heat it, it gets even drier. This can lead to itchy skin, static shocks, and irritated sinuses. It can also dry out wooden furniture and flooring, causing cracking or warping.
Tip: Use a whole-home humidifier or portable units in bedrooms and living areas to maintain humidity between 30–50%. Keep an eye on condensation near windows: too much moisture can lead to mold growth.
3. Increased Dust and Allergens
During winter, your HVAC system runs more often, stirring up dust that’s settled in ducts and vents. If you’ve been indoors more, cooking or burning candles adds to the particle load. These small airborne particles can trigger allergies and worsen asthma symptoms.
Tip: Replace your HVAC filter regularly—especially during heavy use. Upgrading to a higher-MERV-rated filter or adding an air purifier can further reduce particulates and allergens.
4. Combustion Byproducts from Heating Equipment
Gas furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters can produce carbon monoxide (CO) and other harmful gases if they’re not venting properly. Because cold weather increases heater use, the risk of exposure goes up, too—especially if a flue or vent becomes blocked by debris or ice.
Tip: Have your heating system inspected annually, and install CO detectors near sleeping areas. Never use an outdoor grill or unvented heater indoors, even for a short time.
5. Hidden Moisture and Mold
Oddly enough, while indoor air gets drier, hidden condensation can form around poorly insulated windows or pipes when warm indoor air meets a cold surface. This moisture can lead to mold growth in corners or behind walls—problems that often go unnoticed until spring.
Tip: Insulate exposed pipes and cold surfaces, and check under sinks or near windows for damp spots after a freeze.
Schedule an appointment with Evenflow Home & Commercial Services. Where your service flows smoothly from start to finish: we guarantee it.
