How can I Improve my Indoor Air Quality?

There is near total consensus from experts that improving indoor air quality comes down to three factors: filtration, ventilation, and humidity control. Let's take a look at each one of these factors and some solutions for them that meet any budget:

Filtration
-very fine dust particles can enter our lungs and cause allergic reactions and health problems. A high quality filter (MERV 13 or above) will capture these particles.
-solutions: a standalone air purifier with a MERV 13 filter or better, or upgrade your HVAC system’s filter.

Ventilation
-there are some things in the air like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are not good for us, but can't be captured by a filter. The best option to remove these to is to flush fresh air through the house.
-solutions: open your windows on pleasant days, or add a fresh air duct with monitoring and a control strategy to your HVAC system.

Humidity
-maintaining humidity levels between 30-50% keeps dust mites dormant. Dust mites are one of the main causes of indoor allergies.
-solutions: use a portable or professionally installed dehumidifier to manage humidity levels.

There are essentially two paths you can take to improve indoor air quality: the DIY way or the professional installation way. Both options can yield good results. The DIY method is much more hands on and involved, but cheaper. The professional installation method is more expensive, but all of the components are hidden away and automated with controls.

I would also highly recommend testing your indoor air quality before you go investing in solutions. It’s always a good idea to know what we are up against before we start trying to solve the problem at hand. There are many portable/countertop IAQ monitors that are a great place to start. Of if you’re interested in whole home monitoring and testing, we provide those services. Feel free to call or email with any questions you have about Indoor Air Quality.

For a deep dive into the science behind all three of these factors, check out this link

-Matt Bruner