During winter, Americans spend more time indoors with closed windows and heating systems running continuously, which can raise indoor pollutant levels and create dry, stale air. In Western New York, experts note that sealed, energy‑efficient homes may trap dust, pet dander, cooking odors, cleaning chemicals and mold spores, while low humidity can cause skin irritation and respiratory discomfort. In Chicago, cleaners observe that forced‑air furnaces redistribute dust throughout homes, and short periods of ventilation on milder days can help refresh the air without large heat loss.
Both regions recommend improving ventilation, using heat‑recovery ventilators, maintaining HVAC filters, cleaning vent covers, and adding whole‑home humidifiers or air purifiers to manage humidity and remove particles. Regular system maintenance and brief window opening on warm spells are practical steps homeowners can take to protect indoor air quality throughout the heating season.
Entities: Chicago · James Sabal · Mums Cleaning Services Chicago · Western New York