Keeping your windows open during the summer may seem like a good idea to incorporate fresh air into your home and save on cooling costs, but you may be doing more harm than good. In fact, leaving your windows open actually makes your home vulnerable to several indoor air quality (IAQ) and home performance issues.
Pippin Brothers offers a wide selection of indoor air quality solutions that can help you breathe easier in your Southern Oklahoma home. From air purifiers to insulation upgrades, we provide reliable and long-lasting solutions throughout the Lawton, Duncan, and Fort Sill areas, catered to a home’s specific needs.
Common Summer IAQ Issues in Oklahoma Homes
Summers in the area are known for being hot and muggy. This means that leaving your windows open can lead to numerous indoor air quality issues, potentially resulting in health risks for your family or damage to your home.
Pippin Brothers has been serving the area since 1978, and we’ve seen just about every summer indoor health issue out there. Here are the most common ones that we think should be a top priority for Southern Oklahoma homeowners:
Excess Humidity
Oklahoma summers are known for their humidity, and that moisture-rich air can easily come inside when your windows are left open. Excess humidity can not only make your home feel hotter and more uncomfortable, but it can lead to IAQ problems as well. Mold growth, musty odors, and warped furniture are all symptoms of high moisture and indoor humidity levels,
Outdoor Allergens
Opening your windows allows various outdoor allergens to enter your home. Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds can easily drift inside, triggering allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. These allergens can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion, making your home less comfortable. Pollen from grass and weeds is particularly high in the Lawton, OK area in the summer.
Pests
Leaving your windows open can create an open invitation for pests. Insects like mosquitoes, flies, moths, and cockroaches can easily find their way inside, potentially creating indoor air quality issues. Additionally, larger pests like rodents may take advantage of open windows to gain access to your home, which often lead to much bigger—and trickier to remediate—IAQ problems.
Pippin Brothers: Your Partner for a Healthier Home
Our team takes a building science approach to find the most effective solutions that improve indoor air quality, comfort, and efficiency in Lawton and surrounding area homes. We also tailor our services to address the source of the issues you’re experiencing. Depending on what our home performance specialists discover during an in-home assessment, we can help in numerous ways, including:
- Duct Cleaning & Sanitizing - If you’ve already opened your windows this summer, pollutants may already be present in your home. Duct cleaning can prevent them from spreading further.
- Air Filtration - Installing a whole-home filtration system can ensure your home’s air is free from common allergens, from both indoors and outdoors, like dust mites and pollen. We carry several air cleaning products, from filters to advanced purification systems.
- Humidity Control - We offer a wide selection of dehumidifiers that can help control moisture in vulnerable areas, like your crawl space, or throughout your entire home.
- Insulation Upgrades - By creating a protective barrier between your living spaces and the outdoors, proper insulation can both improve indoor air quality and make it easier for your air conditioner to keep you cool.
- Mini Splits for Supplemental Cooling - If you struggle to keep certain areas in your home cool and comfortable throughout the summer, you may benefit from mini splits. These types of ductless heat pumps can provide supplemental heating and cooling without breaking into your walls and central duct system.