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.

The Great Fall Clean-Up Myth

Every year when the leaves start to turn, homeowners across town dust off the rakes, fire up the leaf blowers, and march into the yard for what’s become a ritual: the Great Fall Clean-Up. But here’s the thing, some of these chores are more about tradition than actual necessity. If you’d rather spend your weekends enjoying pumpkin spice lattes than breaking your back outside, here’s your cheat sheet to what really matters and what you can skip.

Worth Your Time

1. Cleaning the Gutters

It’s not glamorous, but clogged gutters are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Left unchecked, they’ll channel water into your roof, walls, and foundation. A quick afternoon of scooping, flushing, and securing those downspouts could save you thousands in repairs later.

2. Mulching the Leaves

Forget the endless raking and bagging. Studies show mulching leaves into your lawn actually improves the soil and feeds the grass. Just run them over with your mower a couple of times, and let nature do the rest. Your back and the landfill will thank you.

3. Sealing Cracks and Gaps

Little gaps around windows, doors, and siding don’t just let in cold air—they invite rodents and bugs looking for a cozy winter spot. A $5 tube of caulk and an hour of your time will pay off all season long.

4. Lawn & Garden Final Touches

Cutting your lawn a little shorter before winter reduces the chance of snow mold. And pulling out dead annuals now means fewer pests setting up camp until spring. Think of it as giving your yard a clean slate.

Save Your Energy

1. Raking Every Last Leaf

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to chase every leaf off your lawn. As long as you mulch the bulk of them, a few stragglers won’t hurt. In fact, leaves in garden beds act as natural insulation for plants and critters.

2. Pruning Trees and Shrubs

Put down the shears. Most trees and shrubs actually prefer to be pruned in late winter or early spring, when they’re dormant. Fall pruning can stress them and leave them vulnerable to disease.

3. Fertilizing

Many homeowners reach for fertilizer in the fall, but if your lawn is already healthy, you’re better off holding off until spring. Overdoing it now can actually weaken the grass over the winter months.

The fall season is about preparing your home and yard for the months ahead, not exhausting yourself with tasks that don’t move the needle. Focus on the chores that protect your house from water, pests, and energy loss, and let go of the ones that are more about keeping up appearances.

Because let’s face it: nobody ever sat down at Thanksgiving dinner and said, “Wow, your yard was raked so perfectly in October.” But everyone appreciates a warm, draft-free house and a lawn that comes back strong in the spring.

So this year, skip the guilt-driven marathon clean-up. Do what counts, ditch what doesn’t, and enjoy the season for what it was meant for - apple cider, football games, and not wearing yourself out before the snow even falls.

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.