How to Improve Air Quality Indoors

If you want your home to be a place where you can relax, unwind, and breathe easy, indoor air quality plays an important role. Did you know that the air inside homes can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside? Yikes. Fortunately, you can improve indoor air quality in your home.

By implementing a few key strategies, you can reduce the amount of pollutants, allergens, and other harmful particles you and your family (and pets!) breathe in. This can lead to better health outcomes in the short and long-term. 

But where do you start?

What’s the Right Indoor Air Quality System for You?

When it comes to improving your indoor air quality, having the right systems in place can make all the difference. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. 

Let’s start by going over the various system types, what they do, and who they benefit.

Air Purifier

Air filtration is the cornerstone of any good indoor air quality system. It works by removing particles, allergens, and other pollutants from the air as it circulates through your HVAC system. Air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns. 

• The Key Benefit: Uses filters (like HEPA) to trap airborne particles like dust, smoke, pollen, and pet dander. Some with carbon filters also neutralize odors. 
• Ideal For: Allergy sufferers, pet owners, and people living in areas prone to wildfire smoke or heavy smog.
• Check Out: The award-winning Infinity air purifier system, which kills 99% of all germs and traps 95% of particles, down to .3 microns.

Air Cleaner

Often used interchangeably with purifiers, but technically, air cleaners refer to systems (often whole-home HVAC attachments) that perform multiple functions at once. A high-quality air cleaner that’s properly installed can play a workhorse role in maintaining excellent indoor air quality in your home.

• The Benefit: Often used interchangeably with purifiers, but technically refers to systems (often whole-home HVAC attachments) that scrub the air using media filters or electronic precipitators.
• Best For: Homeowners who want a “set it and forget it” solution that protects their entire house and HVAC machinery from dust buildup.
• Check Out: The state-of-the-art Honeywell F300 system, which features advanced three-stage filtration.

Humidifiers

Maintaining the right level of humidity in your home is crucial for both comfort and health. Too little can cause dry skin, irritated sinuses, and even damage to your home’s wood furnishings.

This is where humidifiers come in. These systems work in tandem with your HVAC system to maintain ideal humidity levels year-round.

• Check Out: The Carrier Performance Series Fan Humidifier, which blows humidity directly into your HVAC system.
• The Benefit: Infuses the air with moisture (water vapor) to keep relative humidity in the “Goldilocks zone” (30–50%). This prevents the air from becoming “thirsty” and stealing moisture from your body and home.
• Best For: People who deal with “winter itch,” cracked lips, nosebleeds, or static electricity shocks when the heater is running. Snorers, as dry air can lead to irritation and louder snoring.

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More Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Addressing indoor air quality problems typically requires a two-pronged approach: identifying and removing sources of pollution, as well as improving air filtration. We’ve talked about the air filtration. Let’s discuss the other side of the equation.

#1. Address the Problem Directly

What’s causing the indoor air quality problem in the first place? There could be a variety of reasons, and for the most part, they all have solutions. For example, a damp crawl space circulating mold and bacteria can be encapsulated. Or an old appliance polluting the home can be replaced.

If you can’t determine the source of poor indoor air quality in your home, consider investing in professional testing. It’s worth it in the long run to know.

#2. Be Prepared for Seasonal Allergies

If you’re sensitive to indoor air quality, allergy season completely changes the game. Know when it’s coming, and know that you may need to do things a bit differently. Here are some indoor air quality tips to consider for allergy season:

• Check your filter every 30 days: During allergy season, a filter can clog much faster than the standard 90-day recommendation. If it looks gray or dusty, replace it immediately to maintain air quality.
• Use MERV 11 filters: These are dense enough to capture microscopic allergens like pollen and mold spores. Check your HVAC manual to ensure your system can handle the increased resistance of a higher MERV rating.
• Run the HVAC fan constantly: Switch your thermostat from “Auto” to “On.” This ensures air is continuously pulled through the filter even when the system isn’t heating or cooling, effectively cleaning the air 24/7.
• Maintain the outdoor unit: Keep a 2-foot clear radius around your outdoor condenser. Remove weeds and debris, and gently rinse the coils with a hose to prevent outdoor allergens from being drawn toward your home’s entry points.
• Seal duct leaks: Use mastic or foil tape to seal gaps in return ducts located in attics or crawlspaces. This prevents the system from sucking in unfiltered dust or insulation particles from unconditioned areas.

#3. Minimize Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) 

VOCs are gases emitted from common household items over time, and they cannot be removed by standard air filters.

• Choose Low-VOC Products: When painting or renovating, look for labels marked “Zero-VOC” or “Greenguard Gold Certified.” This applies to paints, adhesives, and even new carpeting.
• Let New Items Stay Outside: New furniture, mattresses, and rugs release the highest concentration of chemicals in the first 48 hours after unboxing. If possible, let these items sit in a garage or on a covered porch for two days before bringing them into your living space.
• Store Chemicals Safely: Keep half-used paint cans, solvents, and heavy-duty cleaners in an unattached garage or shed. Even tightly sealed containers can leak trace amounts of gases into your home’s air.

Why Is It Important to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home?

Indoor air quality has a significant effect on how people feel. Some people are more sensitive than others, and symptoms can be far-ranging. 

Some common symptoms include:

• Frequent sneezing, coughing, and congestion
• Worsening allergy or asthma symptoms
• Dry or irritated eyes, nose, throat, and skin
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Unpleasant odors that linger indoors

Upgrade Your Indoor Air Quality Today

At All Seasons Heating & Cooling, Inc., we’re committed to helping Vancouver WA, residents breathe easier in their homes. We offer comprehensive indoor air quality assessments using specialized testing and monitoring equipment. This allows us to identify exactly what’s diminishing your air quality and recommend the most effective solutions.

So don’t let poor indoor air quality affect your health and comfort any longer! Contact us today to schedule an air quality assessment and take the first step towards breathing easier in your home.