5 tips for cleaner indoor air

Indoor spaces that are overly dusty, musty, or smelly can indicate poor indoor air quality, which can greatly affect our health. Improving the air quality inside your home can make it feel fresher, cleaner, and healthier by reducing pollutants and airborne particles. 

It's easy to think of pollution as only an "outdoor" problem. Outside, toxins and fumes have space to ventilate and disperse. Inside, particles stay longer, especially in poorly ventilated rooms, which can worsen health risks.

Common sources of indoor air contaminants:

• Natural gas appliances. Gas-burning appliances like stoves, water heaters, and furnaces can leak carbon monoxide due to poor equipment.

• Building materials. Treated wood, carpeting, and other building materials can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde.

• Tobacco smoke. Cigarettes contain over 4,000 compounds, more than 40 of which are carcinogens, according to the American Cancer Society.

• Household products. Paints, adhesives, cleaning products, bug spray, hair spray – these are all products that can release VOCs in your home. 

• HVAC system. Your HVAC system disperses air throughout your home, so if you have airborne contaminants, it circulates them as well.

• Dust and pet dander. These biological byproducts of everyday living can cause respiratory irritation, allergies, and asthma.

• Outdoor pollutants. Your air filters are your primary defense against pollution. Faulty filtration or air leaks can allow contaminants inside. 

The effects of airborne impurities depend on the contaminants and the health of the person inhaling them.

The immediate effects of contaminated indoor air can include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Individuals with asthma or allergies may experience these symptoms more severely. Certain toxins can contribute to long-term illnesses like respiratory disease, heart disease, and in some cases, cancer.

If you think you might have an air quality problem in your home, there are several things you can do to collect more information:

• Schedule a diagnostic test. Indoor air quality testing services involve a professional technician inspecting your home and testing for contaminants.

• Install air monitors. These are typically small, tabletop devices that continuously monitor the air and send alerts for smoke, carbon monoxide, humidity changes, and other concerns.

• Monitor carbon monoxide. Stay safe and aware with at least one working detector on every floor of your home. Regularly test them and replace the batteries.

• Test for radon. Radon is an invisible and dangerous gas linked to serious health problems. Most radon detectors are portable, inexpensive electronic devices.

If your home seems excessively dusty or you're having trouble breathing, you may have an indoor air quality issue. Consider these helpful ways to improve indoor air quality, or shop for a home protection plan to let the professionals handle it.  

• Choose whole-home air filtration. Whole-home air filters can be professionally installed to capture and neutralize tiny particles, including viruses and bacteria.

• Use air purifiers. Smaller, standalone air purifiers circulate air through a filter that can be replaced or cleaned.

• Opt for ultraviolet. Use HVAC components treated with low-watt ultraviolet light to eliminate harmful microorganisms like mold, bacteria, and viruses.

• Clean your HVAC system. Heating and cooling protection plans offer benefits like annual maintenance to ensure your system runs smoothly.

• Keep pollutants out. Seal cracks, gaps, and leaky ducts, or schedule a professional home energy audit to find any air leaks in your home.