Ever feel like you need a breath of fresh air, even inside your own home? It may sound absurd, but your indoor air quality could be the culprit.
If you ever struggle with constant headaches, non-stop sneezes, or a constant itch at the back of your throat, these are just some of the common symptoms that your indoor air may not be up to snuff.
The good news? You’re not alone. The average home can have up to 100x polluted air quality rating compared to air outside. This can be critical for households with young children, elderly members, or those who suffer from allergies or respiratory ailments.
Let’s dive into how you can improve the air quality in your home.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, people spend at least 90% of their time indoors. Based on this, it’s pretty clear that indoor air quality (IAQ) has a direct impact on your day-to-day well-being.
In the simplest terms, IAQ monitors the indoor levels for:
Let’s break down what each one means.
Have you ever noticed those tiny particles floating around in the sunlight streaming across your room? These are particulate matter – very small particles suspended in the air. For IAQ, these are specifically PM-10 (10 micrometers or smaller), and PM2.5( 2.5 micrometers or smaller).
These particles commonly include:
VOCs tend to be one of the leading causes of indoor pollution. Surprisingly, they’re found in a ton of everyday items. These chemicals are released into the air through a process called off-gassing.
VOCs can be present in:
Do you enjoy a crackling fireplace? Perhaps you use a gas stove, or any other fuel-burning appliances? In the process of creating heat, these appliances tend to produce carbon monoxide as a byproduct of combustion.
Carbon monoxide can be dangerous to health. In dense concentrations, they can even cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause coma or even death.
While not as harmful as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide build-up can still be troublesome. Since CO2 is a natural byproduct of breathing, it can be built up over time in poorly ventilated spaces.
Now that we know exactly what IAQ is, how do we get rid of toxic pollutants?
Natural ventilation is key to helping improve your air quality. The good news is you don’t have to blow a fortune just to enjoy a breath of fresh air.
Make it a habit to keep windows and doors open throughout the day. This will help with natural air circulation. The cross-breeze also ensures that pollutants are flushed out regularly.
Pro Tips:
If you have an HVAC unit, you can make use of the thermostat fan to circulate air throughout your home. You can reduce utilities by ensuring the fan is set to “on”, instead of “auto”. This will circulate the air without heating / cooling the space.
If your home is designed with energy efficiency in mind, it’s likely well-sealed. You may want to consider investing in a system that brings in fresh outdoor air, a process known as makeup air. Systems like HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) or an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) are designed to do this. Unfortunately, these can be pricey, typically ranging between $2,000 - $5,000.
Remember our not-so nice friends, the VOCs? Well, that’s the next big thing to tackle for good IAQ. Some common cleaning products that you want to avoid include:
That eliminates quite a number of cleaning products. As alternatives, you can use natural products that are organic. Look for a USDA-certified organic label on the packaging to ensure it complies with safety standards.
Such products typically use ingredients like:
You can also check out our DIY non-toxic recipe guide if you wish to make your own!
As their name suggests, air purifiers are designed to purify the indoor air of pollutants, allergens and contaminants.
Most air purifiers come with a pre-filter that excels at capturing larger particles. However, the golden standard is a HEPA filter. These filters have fine mesh / fibers that excel at capturing solid particles in the air, including:
The one limitation to HEPA filters is their inability to capture gases and odors. That’s where activated carbon filters come into play. These rely on a process called adsorption. Essentially, think of a large net that chemically binds to gaseous pollutants, and odors. Trapping them in place. This will help with:
It’s important to remember that not all purifiers are designed to work with this trifecta of filters. Check the manufacturer’s website for specifications. The product package should also have clear indications, such as a “True HEPA Filter” / “Multi-Stage Filtration” badge.
Air purifiers typically range between $150 - $500+. Remember that the filters will need to be replaced every few months, which is a recurring cost.
Excess moisture in the air can also be detrimental to health and affect your IAQ. Excessive humidity can cause a hot, sticky feeling, difficulty breathing, and make the air feel hotter than it really is. In higher levels it can even damage wood furniture, electronics, and cause mold formation.
A dehumidifier can help reduce excess humidity by absorbing the moisture in the air. This can be particularly helpful for areas that are prone to humid air, such as homes near the coast or in tropical climates.
Healthy indoor air is one of the most critical aspects of well-being at home. This is especially important if you have kids, seniors, or spend most of your time at home, such as for WFH setups.
With a good IAQ, you can say goodbye to pesky sniffles, allergies, and excess humidity and enjoy fresh and comfortable air that your family deserves.
Connect with me:
