At Hagerstown Heating & Cooling, we pride ourselves on debunking info so that our customers will be informed consumers when it comes to making decisions about their home comfort. As the first day of winter approaches, let’s talk about “cold and flu season” and your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ).
Some people think that they can only get colds and the flu during cold and flu season. But that just isn’t so. You can catch the flu or a cold any time of the year. Let’s look at what causes colds and the flu and why they seem more prevalent in the winter.
What causes the flu and the common cold?
According to the CDC, the common cold is caused by any one of several viruses that cause inflammation of the mucous membranes. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs.
Contrary to popular belief, cold weather or being chilled doesn’t cause a cold or the flu. However, more colds and flus do occur during the cold weather season (early fall to late winter). This is probably due to a variety of factors, including:
- Schools are in session, increasing the risk of exposure to the virus among students who then bring the cold/flu home to their other household members.
- People are indoors much more frequently due to inclement weather and are in closer proximity to each other, increasing the risk of exposure.
- Low humidity levels and dry winter air will dry out people’s nasal passages which then become more susceptible to cold viruses.
That’s why your home would benefit from whole house IAQ systems that keep your home’s air clean and balanced.
Whole House Solutions
Your home’s indoor air can be poor due to both contaminants and the amount of time you spend inside. An air filtration system or air purifier will help remove the contaminants that are responsible for causing the common cold and the flu. A humidifier combats the dry, cold winter air that dries out your mucous membranes and makes them more susceptible to illness.
Many homes that feel stuffy or uncomfortable will benefit from an air filtration installation or air purification system. An air filter will specifically target contaminants above a certain size and eliminate them, whereas a UV air purifier will provide whole house air purification by eliminating biological contaminants.
These systems are installed alongside your home’s HVAC system to clean all the air that circulates throughout your home. That means clean air year-round.
Trying to make do with portable air filters, air purifiers, or humidifiers just won’t cut it. These items can also become more expensive to maintain over time as you’re frequently needing to change out their expensive filters.
Call the experts at Hagerstown Heating & Cooling to get a whole house system installed that’ll combat colds and the flu all year long.
At Hagerstown Heating & Cooling, we want to protect customers from Google and other contractors in Hagerstown, MD. Honesty at Its Best.