Date Posted: Sep 16, 2025
Let's be honest about South Bend winters. They're brutal. Come January, we're lucky if it hits the 30s during the day, and those nighttime temperatures in the teens? That's when everyone battens down the hatches. Windows get sealed, doors stay shut, and we hunker down until spring.
But here's something most folks don't think about: all that buttoning up traps more than just heat. You're also keeping in dust, moisture, and all sorts of indoor pollutants. Ever notice how your breathing gets a bit rougher once the furnace starts running full-time? There's actually a good reason for that.
Your HVAC system does way more than just keep you warm. When it's running right, it can actually help clean your air, balance humidity levels, and cut down on the stuff that triggers asthma, COPD, and allergies. That's where we come in at DRC Heating & Cooling. We help South Bend families breathe a little easier when Old Man Winter shows up.
Why Winter Air Makes Breathing Tougher
Everything Is Sealed Up Tight.
Once those temperatures drop, nobody's opening windows for months. Smart move for your heating bill, not so great for air quality. All those irritants like pet hair, mold spores, and cleaning product fumes have got nowhere to go but around and around your house.
The Air Gets Bone Dry.
Furnaces are humidity killers. When your indoor air gets too dry, it irritates your nose and throat something fierce. Plus, it makes you more susceptible to catching whatever bug is going around.
Same Old Pollutants, Over and Over.
Here's the kicker: dust, pollen, and other junk build up in your filters and ducts. If you're not staying on top of cleaning, your heating system just keeps pushing those same irritants back into your living space every time it kicks on.
What the Science Actually Says
Look, we're not just making this stuff up. There's real research backing up what a lot of South Bend homeowners already know from experience.
One big study looked at thousands of people and found that both super low and really high indoor humidity made people cough more and produce more phlegm. The sweet spot? Keeping humidity between 40 and 60 percent seemed to keep respiratory complaints way down. That research came out in Respiratory Research back in 2024.
Other research digs into why moderate humidity actually helps your body's natural defenses work better. When air gets too dry, the mucous membranes in your nose and throat can't do their job of trapping and clearing out the bad stuff. Too much moisture, and you've created a perfect breeding ground for mold and dust mites. Either way, people with allergies and lung conditions are going to have a rough time. PMC published some solid findings on this in 2023.
There's also some promising new evidence showing that HEPA filtration systems can make a real difference for families dealing with asthma and COPD. Early results suggest these systems pull enough fine particles and allergens out of the air to actually reduce flare-ups and general irritation. PLOS One put out some interesting results on this topic in 2024.
How to Get Your HVAC System Working for Your Health
1. Don't Skimp on Filters
Good filters grab the tiny stuff like mold spores, pet dander, and dust. Swap them out every one to three months. It's honestly one of the easiest things you can do to keep your air cleaner, and it keeps your furnace from working overtime.
2. Get Humidity Dialed In
This one's huge for respiratory comfort. Whole-home humidifiers can add moisture back to that desert-dry winter air. If you've got the opposite problem with too much moisture, dehumidifiers and better ventilation are your friends. Shoot for that 40 to 60 percent humidity range.
3. Keep Air Moving
Stale air just concentrates all the stuff you don't want to breathe. Make sure your exhaust fans are actually working, keep those vents clean, and don't skip the routine HVAC cleaning. Fresh circulation makes a difference you can feel.
4. Don't Skip the Tune-ups
Pre-winter maintenance isn't just about preventing breakdowns, though nobody wants their furnace to die in a blizzard. A good inspection catches problems with coils, ductwork, and airflow before you spend months breathing in dust or mold.
5. Consider Upgrading Your Air Cleaning
Got kids, elderly family members, or someone managing a chronic condition? Additional filtration or UV light systems can give you that extra layer of protection. These catch particles that regular filters might miss.
Simple Things South Bend/Mishawaka Homeowners Can Do Right Now
Get that pre-winter tune-up scheduled with DRC Heating & Cooling. Pick up a hygrometer to actually track your humidity levels. Change your filter before heating season starts, and do it more often if you've got pets. Keep those outdoor vents clear of snow and ice. Try to keep your indoor temperature steady because big swings can be hard on the lungs, especially for older folks.
When You Should Give DRC Heating and Cooling a Call
Don't wait if you're noticing breathing problems that seem worse when you're inside. Maybe you smell musty odors or see visible mold around your vents. Some rooms might be heating way better than others. Your utility bills could be climbing for no obvious reason.
The Bottom Line
South Bend winters aren't getting any warmer, but your indoor air doesn't have to make things worse. With the right maintenance and maybe a few upgrades, your HVAC system can actually reduce the stuff that makes breathing harder, keep your air cleaner, and even save you money on energy costs.
At DRC Heating & Cooling, we've been helping families around here breathe easier all winter long. Give us a call today to schedule your winter HVAC maintenance and make your home a healthier place to ride out the cold months.
About the Author:
Dr. Dawn is a licensed physical therapist, wellness blogger, and the founder of Dr. Dawn’s Wellness Tools. With years of experience helping patients manage respiratory health, chronic conditions, and home safety, she brings a unique perspective to HVAC topics that directly affect family wellness. Her focus is on making complex health and home care issues easy to understand so homeowners can make informed choices about comfort, safety, and energy efficiency.