How to Improve Indoor Air Quality During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones, decorating your home, and enjoying cozy moments indoors. But with all that extra indoor activity comes something often overlooked, your home’s air quality. Between cooking, heating, decorating, and entertaining, your indoor environment can become filled with allergens, odors, and pollutants that impact your family’s comfort and health.

At Beam HVAC, we believe that breathing clean, fresh air is one of the best gifts you can give your household. Here’s how to keep your indoor air quality at its best during the holidays.

1. Keep Your HVAC System Clean and Maintained

Your HVAC system plays the biggest role in circulating air throughout your home, so it’s important to make sure it’s working efficiently and cleanly. A dirty system or clogged filter can spread dust, pet dander, and other pollutants.

Before the holidays:

• Change or clean air filters. Ideally, filters should be replaced every 1–3 months, especially if you have pets or live in an area with high dust or pollen levels.

• Schedule a professional tune-up. A Beam HVAC technician can clean internal components, inspect ductwork for leaks, and ensure your system is running at peak performance.

• Check your ducts. Leaky or dirty ductwork can spread contaminants throughout your home. Having ducts cleaned or sealed can make a noticeable difference in air quality.

Regular maintenance keeps your system efficient and helps you avoid breakdowns during the busy holiday season when you least want heating issues!

2. Be Mindful of Holiday Scents and Decorations

Scented candles, air fresheners, and sprays are common during the holidays, but many release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These chemicals can irritate the lungs and trigger allergies or asthma symptoms.

Healthier alternatives:

• Use natural essential oil diffusers or soy-based candles with cotton wicks.

• Try DIY holiday scents like simmering water with cinnamon sticks, orange peels, and cloves for a cozy, chemical-free aroma.

• Choose real greenery (if allergies allow) instead of artificial decorations that may collect dust or off-gas over time.

A festive home doesn’t have to come at the cost of clean air.

3. Watch Out for Cooking Pollutants

The kitchen is the heart of most holiday celebrations, but cooking, especially frying or roasting releases smoke, grease, and particulate matter into the air. Without proper ventilation, these pollutants can linger long after the meal is over.

To keep the air clear while you cook:

• Use your range hood fan every time you cook, and make sure it vents to the outside.

• Open a window slightly for added airflow if weather allows.

• Clean your oven regularly to prevent smoke from burnt-on residue.

• Avoid overusing nonstick cookware, as overheated coatings can release harmful fumes.

Even small changes in cooking habits can significantly improve your indoor air quality.

4. Control Humidity Levels

Winter air is often dry, but indoor humidity can rise from cooking, showering, or gatherings. High humidity creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and dust mites while air that’s too dry can irritate your skin, eyes, and throat.

The ideal indoor humidity level is between 30% and 50%.

• Use a humidifier or dehumidifier to balance moisture levels.

• Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens to remove excess steam.

• Inspect for leaks under sinks or around windows that could cause hidden moisture problems.

Beam HVAC can help install whole-home humidifiers or dehumidifiers that automatically maintain optimal humidity levels year-round.

5. Improve Ventilation

When temperatures drop, it’s tempting to keep your home sealed tight. But without adequate ventilation, indoor air can become stale and filled with pollutants from cooking, cleaning, and even breathing.

You can improve airflow by:

• Opening windows for just a few minutes each day to let in fresh air.

• Running ceiling fans in reverse (clockwise) at a low speed to circulate warm air.

• Using energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) or air exchangers, which bring in fresh air without losing heat efficiency.

Proper ventilation is key to maintaining a healthy balance between comfort and air freshness.

6. Consider Air Purification Solutions

Even with good maintenance and ventilation, some contaminants are too small to capture easily. Air purifiers can remove microscopic particles like pollen, smoke, and bacteria, making them an excellent addition to your HVAC system especially during high-traffic holiday months.

Beam HVAC offers advanced whole-home air purifiers that work directly with your heating and cooling system to continuously clean the air. These purifiers often use HEPA filtration, UV light, or ionization technology to eliminate airborne pathogens and allergens effectively.

7. Don’t Forget the Basics

Some simple habits can make a big difference:

• Vacuum and dust regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

• Ask guests to remove shoes to reduce dirt and pollen tracked indoors.

• Avoid smoking indoors. Even occasional smoke can linger in fabrics and ductwork.

• Keep houseplants healthy. While some plants can improve air quality, overwatering can cause mold growth in soil.

Clean air starts with consistent, everyday habits.

Breathe Easy This Holiday Season

A comfortable, welcoming home starts with the air you breathe. By maintaining your HVAC system, managing humidity, and being mindful of pollutants, you can create a healthier environment for your family and guests all season long.

If you’d like to improve your indoor air quality or schedule a seasonal HVAC tune-up, Beam HVAC is here to help. Our expert technicians can assess your system and recommend the best solutions so you can focus on what really matters this holiday season: spending time with those you love.

Contact Beam HVAC today to schedule your indoor air quality evaluation and breathe easier all winter long.