On average, we spend about 62% of our time at home (not counting sleep). That means the air we breathe there has a direct impact on our comfort and on our health. Poor indoor air quality can harm your well-being in both the short and long term. The good news? Simple solutions like a HEPA filter, an air purifier or a furnace filter clean the air effectively and safely.
What is indoor air quality, and how is it measured? Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air we breathe inside and around buildings, and specifically its impact on the health and comfort of occupants. Several pollutants can build up in homes and commercial buildings, often without anyone noticing.
IAQ is assessed using specialized monitors that measure different contaminants. These can include fine particles (particulate matter, or PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO₂), humidity and radon. These devices analyze the concentration of each pollutant using precise sensors. The most common detectors measure VOCs, followed by CO₂ sensors, which help evaluate ventilation quality.
The main factors that influence indoor air quality In particular, the year your home was built affects its indoor air quality. Modern homes benefit from better insulation and higher-performing materials, which reduce pollutant infiltration and the loss of clean air. Other factors to consider include:
• Pollen and allergens: their amount and nature vary with the seasons.
• Pets: hair, dander and sometimes even pathogens (e.g. in droppings).
• Insects and rodents: can introduce pathogens and promote mould.
• Smog: depending on your region, smog levels can lower your IAQ.
• Humidity: climate change will drive humidity levels up or down, which affects IAQ.
What are the health effects? The World Health Organization links roughly 7 million premature deaths a year to air pollution overall, with household air pollution accounting for about 2.9 million of them. The health problems associated with poor air quality include strokes, asthma, heart disease, COPD and other preventable respiratory and cardiac conditions.
Improving ventilation increases air exchange, which significantly reduces the risk of respiratory illness. Continuous air filtration and maintaining proper humidity deliver the same benefits. For example, in air with relative humidity below 40%, viruses can survive six times longer, which is why humidity control and air exchangers belong in the same conversation as filtration.
4 ways to improve the air quality in your home Each of these works differently, and the right one depends on whether your home has ductwork and what you are actually trying to remove from the air.
1. Furnace filters. Installed in the furnace or air handler, furnace filters capture dust, pollen, mould spores and other harmful particles, improving the quality of the air that circulates, and with it your IAQ.
2. HEPA filters. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, like furnace filters, trap airborne pollutants. Considered the “top-tier” filters, HEPA filters capture at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and larger. Used in hospitals and laboratories, they are also an excellent fit for homes, especially if you suffer from allergies or respiratory issues.
3. UV-C lamps. UV-C lamps are a specific type of ultraviolet (UV) light that kills microorganisms thanks to its germicidal properties. They work much like the sun, neutralizing or killing bacteria, mould, viruses and other pathogens, but with greater intensity.
These lamps are installed inside HVAC ductwork to purify the air before it reaches your rooms. The CDC has studied UV-C lamps extensively; their safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated for decades.
4. Air purifiers. Working much like furnace filters, air purifiers are standalone devices, which makes them ideal for homes without ductwork. Depending on their rating (MERV index), they can offer filtration equivalent to furnace filters. One caveat: unlike an HVAC system, air purifiers don’t distribute air throughout the home, so while they release purified air, it doesn’t circulate as effectively.
Breathe better, starting today. Poor indoor air quality can harm your health, but simple, accessible solutions exist. Call on a local professional who can assess your home’s IAQ and recommend the best options. A new HEPA filter, a UV-C lamp or an air purifier could make all the difference. Contact us today for a consultation. Clean air starts with the system you already have: our guide to normal maintenance for a heating or air conditioning system covers the filter side.
