5 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality This Winter in Saskatoon

June 27, 2025

When winter arrives in Saskatoon, most families spend more time indoors—keeping windows shut tight to stay warm. But this also means stale air, increased allergens, and potential health concerns if your home's indoor air quality (IAQ) isn't properly managed.



Poor indoor air quality can lead to respiratory problems, fatigue, dry skin, and worsened asthma or allergy symptoms. Fortunately, your HVAC system can do more than just heat your home—it can help you breathe easier. Here are five effective ways to improve indoor air quality this winter for homeowners in Saskatoon and surrounding areas.


1. Replace Furnace Filters Regularly

Furnace filters trap dust, pet dander, pollen, and airborne particles. During winter, when your heating system runs constantly, filters clog up faster. Replacing them every 1–2 months ensures cleaner airflow and helps your furnace work more efficiently.
 
Pro Tip: Use high-efficiency pleated filters with a MERV rating of 8 or higher to capture finer particles without reducing airflow.


2. Install a Whole-Home Humidifier

Winter air in Saskatchewan is notoriously dry. This causes static electricity, dry sinuses, irritated skin, and even cracked hardwood floors. A whole-home humidifier, integrated with your HVAC system, maintains healthy humidity levels between 30%–50%.
 
Balanced humidity not only improves comfort—it also makes it harder for viruses and bacteria to thrive.


3. Upgrade to a HEPA or Media Air Filtration System

For families with allergies, asthma, or respiratory conditions, consider upgrading your HVAC filtration. High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters or media air cleaners trap up to 99.97% of airborne contaminants, including mold spores, bacteria, and fine dust.
 
These systems go beyond standard furnace filters and are especially beneficial during Saskatoon’s closed-window season.


4. Add Mechanical Ventilation or HRV Systems

When fresh air can’t naturally enter your home, mechanical ventilation is key. Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) are ideal for cold climates like Saskatchewan. They bring in filtered outdoor air while recovering heat from stale indoor air being exhausted.
 
This means better air exchange without energy loss—perfect for sealed, energy-efficient homes.


5. Schedule a Winter HVAC Tune-Up

A seasonal inspection from a certified HVAC technician ensures that your system is operating cleanly and safely. Dirty burners, blocked vents, or carbon monoxide leaks can reduce air quality and pose serious risks.
 
A professional tune-up includes filter checks, airflow tests, cleaning, and indoor air quality recommendations tailored to your home.


Why It Matters in Saskatoon

With temperatures regularly plunging below -20°C, Saskatoon homes are sealed tight all winter long. This traps pollutants inside and puts more pressure on your HVAC system to circulate healthy air. By investing in better filtration, humidity control, and proper maintenance, you create a healthier, more comfortable space for your family.


Local Indoor Air Quality Solutions from MNS Limited

At MNS Limited Mechanical Contractors, we specialize in indoor air quality upgrades for Saskatoon and surrounding areas. From filter replacements and humidifier installations to full HVAC inspections and HRV system setups, we help local homeowners breathe easier all winter long.
 
 We serve:
✅ Saskatoon
✅ Warman
✅ Martensville
✅ Corman Park
✅ Rural Saskatchewan communities


Get a Healthier Home This Winter—Book Your HVAC Air Quality Check

Don’t let stale air and allergens build up in your home this season. Improve your indoor air quality with expert help from MNS Limited.
 
📞 Call us at (306) 244-5606
🧰 Or Book a Service Online



There are many different types of heating and cooling equipment.

Hydronic Heating vs Forced Air: What’s Best for Your Home in Saskatoon?

By MNS Mechanical Ltd • June 27, 2025
Choosing the right heating system for your home is an important decision—especially in Saskatchewan, where long winters demand reliable, efficient, and comfortable heating. Two of the most common systems used in homes across Saskatoon are **hydronic heating** and **forced air systems** .
Two men are standing in a factory looking at a clipboard.

Boiler & Hydronic Heating Systems: The Backbone of Commercial Heating in Saskatoon

By MNS Mechanical Ltd • June 27, 2025
In Saskatoon and surrounding Saskatchewan areas, winter isn’t just a season—it’s a test of your building’s heating system. When temperatures drop below -30°C, you need a heating solution that’s reliable, consistent, and energy-efficient. For many commercial and institutional buildings, that solution is boilers and hydronic heating systems.
A woman is sitting on a couch in a living room next to a air conditioner.

How to Choose the Right Air Conditioner for Your Saskatchewan Home

By MNS Mechanical Ltd • June 27, 2025
Choosing the right air conditioner for your home in Saskatchewan isn't just about cooling—it’s about finding a reliable, energy-efficient system that suits your home size, budget, and local climate.
Three people are standing in front of a water cooler.

Backflow Testing Basics for Commercial Properties in Saskatoon

By maurice • June 27, 2025
If you own or manage a commercial or multi-tenant property in Saskatoon or surrounding Saskatchewan areas, backflow prevention and testing isn’t just a smart idea—it’s the law. Backflow incidents can introduce contaminated water into the public supply, putting entire communities at risk and leaving businesses open to liability.
A man is working on a pipe with a gauge on it

Backflow Prevention: What Every Homeowner in Saskatoon Should Know

By maurice • June 27, 2025
When was the last time you thought about your home's water safety? For most homeowners in Saskatoon, clean drinking water is a given. But what if something you can’t see—backflow—was silently putting your household at risk?

Backflow Testing Compliance for Commercial Properties in Saskatoon

By maurice • June 27, 2025
What every property manager and business owner need to know.

10 Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair Before Winter Hits Saskatoon

By maurice • June 27, 2025
Don’t wait until your furnace fails during a freezing Saskatoon night. Learn the key warning signs your heating system needs attention—before the cold arrives.
A large warehouse filled with lots of metal cylinders.

Boiler vs. Furnace: What’s Right for Your Commercial Heating Needs?

By maurice • June 27, 2025
Choosing the right heating system for your commercial building isn’t just about keeping tenants and employees warm—it’s about long-term efficiency, system durability, and operational cost savings. If you’re developing, upgrading, or maintaining a property in Saskatoon or surrounding areas, the decision between a boiler and a furnace can have a lasting impact on your bottom line.
A man and a woman are standing on top of a roof looking at a laptop.

Why Air Handling Units (AHUs) Are Essential in Large Commercial Spaces

June 27, 2025
If you manage or own a commercial or industrial property in Saskatoon or the surrounding areas, you likely already know the importance of efficient HVAC performance. But what often gets overlooked is the Air Handling Unit (AHU)—the backbone of any large-scale ventilation and climate control system.