Stay Healthy This Winter in Tacoma with 5 Indoor Air Quality Tips

If you sealed your windows, weatherstripped your doors, and are dialing your thermostat down occasionally, you are likely saving energy in Tacoma, this winter. 

Your well-sealed home maintains warmth and comfort while keeping utility bills under control.

However, there is a downside to your efforts. A tightly sealed home also traps the indoor air, which, by the end of winter, has circulated through your HVAC system hundreds of times. 

At Dana’s Heating & Cooling, we know that without fresh ventilation, your home can become a closed loop for pet dander, dust mites, skin cells, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Washington’s high humidity also introduces mold spores into the mix. 

Breathing this stagnant, trapped air for months can affect your health, giving you headaches and persistent fatigue while aggravating allergies.  

To help you cross the finish line into spring with improved indoor air, our Dana’s experts have compiled five healthy home tips Washington homeowners can employ to refresh their living spaces. 

#1. Get the Gunk Out of Your Air Ducts

Air Duct cleaning on the Kitsap Peninsula is among our specialties at Dana’s—and homeowners love the results.

Over the years, dust, pollen, and even construction debris settle deep within your ductwork.  Standard vacuum attachments or portable units don’t have the capacity to pull out the heavy, accumulated allergens that have bonded to the duct walls.

At Dana’s, we use truck-mounted vacuums with an airflow capacity of 14,000 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Our massive vacuums create a powerful negative-pressure zone, literally sucking contaminants out of your home and into a sealed container on our truck. This prevents dust from blowing back into your living room, ensuring a true deep clean that portable machines can’t match.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says you should consider duct cleaning if your ducts are:

• Infested with rodents or insects
• Clogged with excessive dust, some of which circulates through your living space
• Contain visible mold growth  

Schedule a duct cleaning with us at Dana’s to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in your home today!

#2. Mind Your Furnace Filters

Your HVAC system air filter is your system’s first line of defense. However, not all filters are created equal. Their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating tells the story: 

• MERV 1–4: Captures large lint and dust, primarily protecting the furnace, not you.
• MERV 8–11: High-efficiency residential filters that catch mold spores and dander.
• MERV 13: The sweet spot for families with allergies or respiratory issues.

Make it a habit to check your filter every 30 days during the winter. If it looks gray, swap it out. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how frequently you should replace your air filter. A clogged filter doesn’t just hurt your lungs; it chokes your furnace, leading to expensive repairs.

#3. Whole-House Filtering and Purification

If you want to move beyond furnace filters into active air purification, consider installing a whole-home filtration system or an air purifier. Here’s a rundown of indoor air quality accessories you should get to know: 

Air Scrubbers: Air scrubbers are the ultimate upgrade for neutralizing stubborn odors. Whether it’s lingering wood smoke from a neighbor’s chimney or the ‘stale’ scent of a winter kitchen, these devices send out oxidizers that neutralize odors on surfaces and in the air.

At Dana’s, we are proud to feature the REME HALO^® and REME HALO-LED™ in-duct air purifiers, which use ionizers to reduce airborne particulates and kill bacteria, mold, and viruses on surfaces. 

Whole-House Filtration: This system integrates with your heating and cooling unit. It prevents contaminants from circulating through your HVAC system and your living space. 

Honeywell’s F300 Electronic Air Cleaner is just one of the whole-house filtration systems we install. It charges particles and traps them on collector plates, zapping up to 99 percent of airborne particles. 

Ultra-Violet (UV) Lamps: Beyond filters and scrubbers, UV Germicidal Lights are an effective addition to your HVAC system. These lights are installed near the indoor cooling coil, a prime spot for mold growth, and use intense ultraviolet rays to kill organic growth before it can ever enter your airstream. 

#4. Strategic Source Control

One of the simplest healthy home tips for Washington residents is source control.

• Shoes Off: Footwear tracks most of the pesticides and lead dust into our homes. Remove your shoes at the door. 

• Skip the Scents: Ditch the synthetic aerosol sprays and heavy paraffin candles, which release VOCs into your trapped winter air.

• Kitchen Venting: Always run your range hood when cooking to vent moisture and combustion byproducts outside.

#5. Control Home Humidity

In the Pacific Northwest, we often battle a lot of moisture. If your indoor humidity exceeds 50 percent, you are inviting dust mites and mold to move in. On the other hand, if your heater dries the air below 30 percent, your nasal passages become dry, and you become more susceptible to winter viruses. Use a simple hygrometer to track your humidity levels. 

Consider installing a whole-home dehumidifier if you consistently see condensation on your windows. If the air feels too dry and your hygrometer shows humidity levels below 30 percent, a whole-home humidifier can increase the moisture in your indoor air. 

Breathe Easier with Dana’s

You shouldn’t have to wait for spring to breathe fresh air in your Tacoma, home. Our qualified technicians at Dana’s Heating & Cooling can help you achieve your indoor air quality goals. Call us at 360-226-7369 or request service online.