What You Don’t See Can Affect You When It Comes To Winter Air Quality

When winter settles in, most of us do the same thing: shut the windows, seal the drafts, and crank the heat. It’s great for comfort and energy efficiency, but not always great for the air we breathe. With homes closed up tight for months at a time, indoor air quality can quietly take a hit, leading to discomfort and even health concerns.

The good news? A few smart habits and simple upgrades can make a noticeable difference.

Why Indoor Air Quality Suffers in Winter

Cold weather means less fresh air circulating through your home. At the same time, heating systems kick into high gear, stirring up dust and other particles that might otherwise stay settled. Common indoor pollutants during winter include dust, pet dander, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from cleaning products, paints, and furnishings.

When these pollutants build up, people may experience headaches, fatigue, sinus irritation, or respiratory issues - symptoms often lumped under the term “sick building syndrome.” If you’re feeling off all winter, your indoor air might be part of the problem.

Practical Ways to Improve Winter Air Quality

Let Fresh Air In, Yes, Even in Winter

You don’t need to leave windows wide open. Short bursts of fresh air, just a few minutes at a time, can help flush out stale indoor air. Using kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans also helps remove moisture and airborne contaminants right at the source.

Keep Humidity in the Sweet Spot

Indoor humidity should hover around 40–50%. Too much moisture encourages mold growth, while air that’s too dry can irritate your nose, throat, and skin. A humidifier or dehumidifier can help keep things balanced, especially in older homes.

Stay on Top of HVAC Maintenance

Your heating system keeps you warm and moves air throughout your home. Change filters every three months and schedule annual maintenance to keep things running efficiently. Dirty filters and neglected systems can spread dust and allergens instead of trapping them.

Use Air Purifiers Where You Spend the Most Time

A quality air purifier with a HEPA filter can significantly reduce airborne particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. Units with activated carbon filters also help absorb odors and chemical fumes. Bedrooms and living areas are usually the best places to start.

Add a Few Low-Maintenance Houseplants

Some plants help improve indoor air quality while also making your home feel more alive during the gray winter months. Snake plants, for example, are hardy, low-maintenance, and known for their air-filtering benefits.

Choose Cleaning Products Carefully

Many conventional cleaners release VOCs that linger in indoor air. Switching to natural or low-VOC products can reduce chemical exposure. When stronger products are necessary, proper ventilation is key.

Install and Maintain Gas Detectors

Carbon monoxide and radon are invisible, odorless, and potentially dangerous. Make sure detectors are installed and functioning properly, and test them regularly, especially during heating season.

Keep Dust Under Control

Regular dusting and vacuuming go a long way. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter prevents allergens from being kicked back into the air while you clean.

Go Easy on Scents

Candles, plug-ins, and air fresheners may smell nice, but many release VOCs. If you use them, do so sparingly and make sure rooms are well ventilated.

Breathe Easier All Winter Long

Winter doesn’t have to mean stale air and stuffy rooms. With a few proactive steps, you can protect your indoor air quality, improve comfort, and create a healthier home environment for everyone under your roof.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visithttp://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

New Year’s Resolutions for the Healthy Homeowner

Every January, we make promises to ourselves: move more, eat better, stress less. But what about the place where we spend most of our time: our home?

If you’re a homeowner who plans to stay put (and enjoy it), 2026 is the perfect year to treat your house like the long-term investment it is. A healthy home isn’t about flashy upgrades or chasing trends, but it is about safety, comfort, efficiency, and a little future-proofing. Here are nine resolutions that will quietly pay off all year long.

1. Upgrade the Air You Breathe

Indoor air quality has officially moved from “nice to have” to “non-negotiable.” Modern whole-house air purifiers, smart ventilation systems, and high-efficiency filters can significantly reduce dust, allergens, and airborne pollutants. If your HVAC system is more than 10–15 years old, this is the year to assess whether it’s working for you or just limping along.

2. Make Bathrooms Safer (and Smarter)

Bathrooms are one of the most common places for household injuries. Small updates like curbless showers, grab bars that don’t look institutional, slip-resistant flooring, and better lighting can make a big difference. Bonus: today’s designs look like luxury spa upgrades, not hospital rooms.

3. Test, Then Retest

Radon, carbon monoxide, and water quality are all non-issues until they are an emergency. Annual testing is simple, affordable, and often overlooked. If you haven’t tested your home in years (or ever), make this your baseline year and set a reminder going forward.

4. Declutter With a Purpose

This isn’t about minimalism or Marie Kondo guilt. It’s about safety and ease. Clear walkways, organized storage, and fewer “just in case” piles reduce fall risks and make daily life smoother. If you haven’t used it in five years, it probably doesn’t need to stay.

5. Invest in Smart but Simple Technology

Smart home tech has grown up. Today’s systems focus on security, energy efficiency, and peace of mind: smart thermostats, leak detectors, lighting on timers, and video doorbells. The key is choosing tech that works quietly in the background, not something that requires a manual and a tech support hotline.

6. Tackle Preventive Maintenance Early

Waiting until something breaks is stressful and expensive. A healthy home runs on prevention: roof inspections, gutter cleaning, foundation checks, and exterior maintenance before New England weather does its thing. Scheduling these early in the year can save money and sanity.

7. Improve Lighting Everywhere

Good lighting isn’t just aesthetic, it’s functional and protective, especially as we homeowners age. Layered lighting, brighter bulbs in stairways and hallways, and motion-sensor exterior lights all improve safety. As eyesight naturally changes, lighting upgrades are one of the most underrated improvements you can make.

8. Rethink Entryways and Exits

Your home should welcome you in and let you exit safely in all seasons. Consider railings, improved steps, better drainage, and ice-management solutions. Small upgrades here reduce slips, improve curb appeal, and make daily routines easier year-round.

9. Plan for Aging in Place (Before You Need To)

The smartest homeowners plan ahead. Even if you feel great now, thinking about future mobility, access, and maintenance needs allows you to make thoughtful upgrades instead of rushed decisions later. A home that adapts with you is a home you can enjoy longer.

A healthy home doesn’t need to be perfect but it does need to support the life you want to live. In 2026, resolve to make your house safer, smarter, and more comfortable. Your future self will thank you… probably while enjoying lower energy bills and fewer emergency repair calls.

If you want help prioritizing which improvements make the most sense for your home, that’s where experienced professionals (and honest advice) come in. Because the best resolutions are the ones you actually keep.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Eight Quick Home Projects to Tackle This August

August is a great time to roll up your sleeves and knock out some easy home improvement jobs before fall rolls in. Whether you’re looking to boost your home’s value or just give it a little glow-up, these projects don’t require a contractor or a ton of time. Just a weekend, some elbow grease, and maybe a cold drink or two.

1. Clean and Seal the Deck

Your deck’s taken a beating all summer through the sun, rain, foot traffic, and maybe a few BBQ sauce mishaps. Give it a good power wash and reseal it. You’ll prevent wood rot, keep splinters at bay, and extend the life of the wood. Bonus: it’ll look brand new heading into Labor Day.

2. Swap Out Air Filters

Your HVAC system’s been running hard. Dirty filters make it less efficient and kick dust and allergens back into the air. Swap in clean filters and breathe easier. It’s cheap, fast, and makes a real difference for indoor air quality.

3. Caulk Windows and Doors

Feel a breeze where there shouldn’t be one? August is your last call to stop drafts before cooler weather hits. A $5 tube of caulk can save you serious cash on heating bills down the line.

4. Add a Smart Thermostat

Speaking of heating bills, installing a smart thermostat is an easy DIY with big returns. It helps you manage energy use and can pay for itself in a year. Many are compatible with Alexa or Google Home, if you’re into that kind of thing.

5. Declutter and Donate

This one’s less about tools and more about tackling the post-summer mess. Sort through the garage, basement, or that closet you’ve been ignoring. You’ll make space for fall gear and maybe even uncover something useful you forgot you owned.

6. Freshen Up the Front Door

Curb appeal matters, even if you’re not selling. A fresh coat of paint on your front door or new hardware (like a modern handle or knocker) can give your entryway a whole new vibe. Go bold or classic, just make it intentional.

7. Clean Out the Gutters

August is dry, which makes it the perfect time to clear out gunk from your gutters. You’ll be glad you did once the leaves start falling. Bonus: you’ll prevent water damage, mold, and unwanted pests.

8. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It takes five minutes, and it could save your life. Replace batteries, test the alarms, and make sure you’ve got one in every key area. Safety first, always.

You don’t always need a full-blown renovation to make your home better. These projects are simple, affordable, and perfect for that August energy before school starts and the busyness of the fall season begins.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.