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Four Steps to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Air quality in cities around the world often fails to meet World Health Organization guidelines for safe levels. Poor air quality has been linked to respiratory illnesses, lung disease, and other long-term health concerns.
While we have little control over the air outside, there are practical steps we can take to improve the air inside our homes. Since most people spend about 90% of their time indoors, maintaining healthy indoor air is more important than ever. In fact, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
The good news is that there are proven ways to improve indoor air quality.
The four most effective strategies are:
Source contamination removal (HVAC remediation)
Improved ventilation
Dehumidification
Air cleaning and filtration
1. Remove Sources of Contamination
The most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate sources of pollution.
Many contaminants enter the home through everyday habits and items that often go unnoticed. Shoes can track in dirt, mold, pollen, pesticide residue, oil, pet dander, and other pollutants. Simply removing shoes before entering the home can significantly reduce what is brought indoors.
Even common household items can contribute to contamination. Plastic grocery bags may have been stored in warehouses, transported through distribution centers, or exposed to vehicle exhaust and other environmental contaminants before reaching your home.
Being mindful of what enters the home can help reduce the overall contaminant load indoors.
Contaminants also accumulate inside HVAC systems. Dust, dirt, construction debris, and other airborne particles are circulated through the heating and cooling system multiple times each day. Over time, these materials settle within the ductwork and HVAC components, where they can become a source of ongoing irritation for occupants.
When contamination is present within the HVAC system, proper HVAC remediation may be necessary. Source contamination removal, often referred to as HVAC remediation, is recognized as the only acceptable method for cleaning and decontaminating HVAC systems. When microbial growth such as mold or bacteria is present on porous HVAC materials, replacement is often the most effective long-term solution.
If fogging, ozone treatments, or other chemical treatments have been performed, a third-party evaluation by a qualified professional is strongly recommended. For individuals with health concerns, a thorough HVAC evaluation is often more informative than air sampling alone.
2. Improve Ventilation
Ventilation helps dilute and remove indoor contaminants.
During activities such as cooking, painting, sanding, or cleaning, opening windows and increasing airflow can help remove airborne pollutants. Portable air scrubbers can also be beneficial during short-term projects that generate dust or fumes.
For continuous ventilation, a properly designed whole-house ventilation system can be integrated into the HVAC system to provide a constant supply of fresh outdoor air.
Bathrooms deserve special attention. Moisture generated during showers can contribute to mildew and mold growth if it is not removed effectively. Run the bathroom exhaust fan during showering and for at least 20 minutes afterward to help remove excess moisture.
Many builder-grade exhaust fans are undersized and may not provide adequate airflow. You can determine whether your fan is properly sized by comparing its CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) rating to the size of the room.
To estimate the airflow needed:
Calculate Room Volume:
Length × Width × Height = Total Cubic Feet
Calculate Required CFM:
Total Cubic Feet × 0.13 = Required CFM
Industry standards such as ASHRAE recommend a minimum of 50 CFM for bathrooms containing a tub or shower.
3. Control Humidity
Dehumidification is one of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
Indoor relative humidity should remain below 60%. When humidity stays above this level for extended periods, conditions become favorable for mold growth.
Mold spores are naturally present in both indoor and outdoor air. When they land on a suitable food source such as paper, wood, drywall, leather, or fabric, excess moisture can allow growth to begin in as little as 48 to 72 hours.
Maintaining indoor humidity below 50% can also discourage dust mites and other moisture-loving pests.
For most homes, the ideal humidity range is between 40% and 50%, providing a balance between comfort and microbial control. Air that is too dry can also cause problems, including dry eyes, irritated skin, and throat discomfort.
Keeping humidity under control is one of the simplest and most effective ways to create a healthier indoor environment.
4. Clean and Filter the Air
Air cleaning devices can help reduce airborne contaminants and improve overall indoor air quality.
Options include:
• High-efficiency filtration systems installed within the HVAC system
• Activated carbon filters that help reduce odors and gases
• Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) systems designed for specific applications
• Hydroxyl generators when properly selected and installed
• Portable HEPA air purifiers for individual rooms or whole-home support
Advanced filtration systems that integrate with the HVAC system can dramatically improve indoor air quality. In the right application, these systems can provide a level of air cleanliness similar to what is expected in hospitals and other critical environments.
Portable HEPA air purifiers are also an excellent investment. When operated continuously, they reduce airborne particles by increasing Air Changes per Hour (ACH), helping remove contaminants from the indoor environment.
Work With Qualified Professionals
Achieving clean indoor air requires a proactive approach and, in some cases, professional guidance.
If you have concerns about your indoor air quality, seek assistance from a qualified indoor environmental professional. Relevant credentials may include:
State Licensed Air Conditioning Contractor
State Licensed Mold Assessor
Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC)
NADCA Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI)
NADCA Certified Ventilation System Mold Remediator (VSMR)
Don't be afraid to ask questions about the inspection process, testing methods, and recommendations. Indoor air quality directly affects your comfort and health, making it important to choose a qualified professional who can properly evaluate your home and recommend solutions based on facts rather than assumptions.
At EnviroAir Systems, we believe that prescription without diagnosis is malpractice. Every home is different, which is why we begin with a comprehensive inspection before recommending solutions. Our goal is to identify the root cause of indoor air quality concerns and develop a strategy based on building science, HVAC expertise, and verified data.
