How to Keep Your Air Fresh in a House Full of Guests
Hosting holiday parties is a great way to make memories with the people you love. However, having a houseful of people can lower your indoor air quality (IAQ). Fortunately, there are ways to keep the air as fresh as possible even if your home is crowded with guests.
Freshen the Air Well Before the Party
One way to keep the air fresh during a party is to declutter your home, especially rooms such as your living room, family room, entryway, and kitchen. Remove everything that’s not necessary to reduce the amount of dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air.
Another way to keep the air fresh before the party even starts is to clean your home regularly. Set up a regular cleaning schedule of vacuuming, dusting, mopping, and wiping down to make sure dirt that can get into the air doesn’t build up. Don’t forget to launder bed linens and upholstery.
Install New Filters in Your HVAC System
Even if your filters are only a few months old, it may be worthwhile to swap them out for new ones before you throw your party. Parties make your HVAC work harder than usual, so it’s a good idea to have fresh filters installed by the time your guests arrive.
Keep the Range Hood Vent On While Cooking
Normally, you switch on the vent in your range hood when things start to burn and get smoky. If your home’s going to be full of guests for the holidays, turn on the vent when you start to cook. This will ensure that you don’t have any additional odors floating through your house.
Open the Windows
Yes, it’s cold out, but the warm bodies gathered in the room should keep the temperatures comfortable, at least for a while. In the meantime, you’ll have circulating fresh air that takes the stuffiness and staleness away.
Turn on a Humidifier or an Air Purifier
Since winter weather tends to dry out homes, a humidifier is a good idea when you’re hosting holiday guests. Make sure to use distilled water, for tap water has contaminants that can get into the air. An air purifier also keeps the air sweet-smelling. Be sure to use a HEPA filter.
Call Us to Keep Your Air Quality High
Fresh air during a party is important. To learn more about indoor air quality, give our professionals at Crocker Refrigeration Heating & Air of Santa Barbara, CA a call.
