Is It the "Winter Crud" or Is Your House Making You Sick?
Why February in Utah is the prime season for "Sick Building Syndrome."
It’s February in Utah. You feel tired. You have a low-grade headache. Your nose is constantly stuffy, and your throat feels scratchy.
You probably assume you just have the "winter crud" or a lingering cold. But ask yourself this:
Do you feel better when you leave the house?
If your symptoms fade when you get to work or go on a drive, and return the moment you walk through your front door, you might not be sick. Your house might be the problem.
This phenomenon is often called "Sick Building Syndrome" (SBS), and in Utah, February is the prime season for it. Here is the science behind why your home’s air might be making you ill—and how to fix it.
1. The Utah Double Whammy: Inversion + The Sealed Box
We all know about the Inversion. That layer of cold air that traps smog and particulates in the valley like a lid on a pot. When the air outside is "Red" or "Orange," our instinct is to run inside and seal the windows tight.
But here is the problem: Modern homes are built like Tupperware.
We have become excellent at sealing our homes to save energy and keep heat in. But when we seal the "envelope" of the house tight, we stop the house from breathing.
The Result: We trap all the pollutants generated inside the house. Every time you cook, spray a cleaner, light a candle, or even breathe, those particles stay in the room with you, accumulating to toxic levels.
2. What Are You Breathing? (The Invisible Pollutants)
It’s not just dust. In a sealed winter home, you are likely breathing a cocktail of invisible irritants:
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): These are invisible gases released by cleaning products, air fresheners, new carpet, and even paint. In a closed house, they can't escape.
Biologicals: This includes mold spores (often from window condensation), dust mites, and pet dander.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): This is the most overlooked pollutant. In a bedroom with the door closed, CO2 levels from your own breath can spike over 1,000 ppm overnight. This causes the "morning brain fog," headaches, and grogginess many people mistake for illness.
3. The Symptom Check: Cold vs. Poor Air Quality
How do you tell the difference between a virus and poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)? Look for these distinct patterns.
Fever
The Cold / Flu: Almost always present.
Poor Air Quality: No Fever. You feel sick, but your temperature is normal.
Physical Sensation
The Cold / Flu: Body aches and chills.
Poor Air Quality: Fatigue. You feel foggy, lethargic, or heavy.
Location Patterns
The Cold / Flu: Constant. You feel sick everywhere you go.
Poor Air Quality: Location-Based. You feel better after leaving the house for a few hours.
Duration
The Cold / Flu: Lasts 7–10 days.
Poor Air Quality: Persists all winter (or as long as the house is sealed up).
4. The Fix: How to Scrub Your Air
You don't have to live with the "February Funk." Here is how to improve your IAQ immediately.
Stop the Source
The easiest way to clean the air is to stop dirtying it. During inversion weeks, your house cannot vent pollutants out.
Candles: Avoid burning paraffin candles, which release soot. Switch to soy or beeswax.
Cleaners: Pause on harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia. Switch to natural cleaners until the weather clears.
Upgrade Your Filter
Go check your furnace filter. If it’s a cheap, see-through fiberglass filter, throw it away.
Buy a Pleated Filter: Look for a MERV 11 or MERV 13 rating. These are dense enough to trap smoke, smog particles, and mold spores.
Note: Check your furnace manual first to ensure your system can handle the higher airflow resistance of a MERV 13 filter.
Run the Fan
Switch your thermostat fan setting from "Auto" to "On" for a few hours a day.
Why? "Auto" only runs the fan when the heat is on. By switching to "On," you force air through your high-quality filter continuously, effectively scrubbing the air in the whole house.
HEPA Filtration
If you have allergies, consider a standalone air purifier with a HEPA filter for your bedroom. It is the gold standard for removing 99.97% of particulates.
When to Call a Pro
If you have tried these steps—upgraded your filter, ventilated the house, and removed chemical sources—and you still smell musty odors or feel sick, you might have a hidden issue.
Hidden mold inside walls or ventilation failures can create toxic environments that standard cleaning cannot fix.
Apex Restoration doesn't just fix water damage; we understand the science of healthy buildings. If you suspect your home is making you sick, call us for an assessment.
Call Apex Restoration: (801) 513-1137