As temperatures drop across the DMV, most households spend more time indoors and keep their windows shut for weeks at a time. The same tightly sealed, energy-efficient conditions that keep you comfortable also trap the byproducts of daily life: cooking particles, cleaning fumes, pet dander, and household odors.
The differences in indoor air quality (IAQ) conditions are not subtle in winter. Mose people can feel how much drier, heavier, and staler indoor air feels this time of year. And although similar air-quality issues exist in summer, such as dust, allergens, and humidity swings, the way your home is heated during winter can make indoor air quality issues feel more oppressive.
Why Winter Brings Different IAQ Conditions
When the furnace runs, it circulates the same indoor air repeatedly through ducts, vents, and filters. Because the system is designed to retain heat, it also retains airborne particles and odors longer.
For most people, the biggest difference they notice is how much central heating lowers indoor humidity, often leaving the air far drier than it is outside.
Months of dry, recirculated air creates several predictable winter symptoms:
- Low humidity that irritates sinuses, eyes, and skin and increases static electricity.
- Dry wood floors and trim that can shrink or crack.
- Damage to sensitive property such as furniture, musical instruments, or artwork.
- Odors that linger because ventilation is limited.
- Higher particle concentration, especially if filters or coils are dirty.
The right IAQ additions can restore balance, relieve dryness, and keep air moving cleanly through the system.
IAQ Upgrades That Improve Air and Comfort in Winter
Aerus Air Scrubber
The Air Scrubber uses ActivePure® technology to neutralize airborne contaminants and odors. It operates continuously whenever the HVAC system runs, releasing molecules that reduce dust, bacteria, and other microscopic particles in the air and on surfaces.
In winter, when windows stay closed and ventilation is minimal, the Air Scrubber keeps the air fresher between filter changes and helps reduce the buildup of odors that often develop in sealed homes.
During summer, it performs the same role against pollen, pet dander, and cooking smoke, providing value across every season.
UV Light System
Ultraviolet (UV-C) lights are strategically placed within your HVAC system to work in both heating and cooling modes. They prevent microbial buildup that can restrict airflow or cause musty odors, helping air move through cleaner components year-round. This protection supports both indoor air quality and system efficiency in every season.
AprilAire Power Humidifier
Forced-air heating removes moisture from indoor air as it cycles, often dropping humidity below 30%. At that level, the air draws moisture from your skin, nasal passages, and even wood floors. The AprilAire Power Humidifier adds moisture back automatically, maintaining optimally balanced humidity of 35–45%.
AprilAire Bypass Humidifier
The bypass version works similarly but uses the furnace’s existing blower to move air across a moisture pad and is ideal for smaller homes or systems with moderate airflow. It provides the same humidity control with less energy use and simpler maintenance.
Why These Systems Are Worth Installing Before Winter
Installing IAQ equipment before winter arrives ensures that your home is ready for the season when the effects of poor air circulation and low humidity are most obvious. However, IAQ upgrades are not just good for winter weather.
- Air Scrubber: Keeps air fresh when windows stay closed in winter and filters pollen and odors during summer.
- UV Light: Maintains coil cleanliness through every heating and cooling cycle, reducing odors and improving efficiency year-round.
- Humidifiers: Primarily used in cold months, but useful during shoulder seasons when humidity dips before or after heating season.
Once installed, these systems require little attention, just periodic filter changes or annual maintenance. They’re practical, low-maintenance improvements that extend the life of your HVAC system while improving comfort for every occupant.
Improve Your Comfort Before Winter Settles In
If your air already feels dry or stale as the heat turns on, now is the perfect time to act. Vito Services is offering November installation specials on all IAQ upgrades:
- Aerus Air Scrubber – Now $1,100 (Regular $1,466)
- UV Light System – Now $499 (Regular $658)
- AprilAire Power Humidifier – Now $1,499 (Regular $1,887)
- AprilAire Bypass Humidifier – Now $1,299 (Regular $1,716)*
Each of these options complements your existing HVAC system to create a cleaner, more balanced indoor environment. Call (301) 936-1832 to learn more about current specials or schedule an installation estimate and Leave It To Vito.
