Did you know that the air inside your home can have a huge impact on your family’s health and comfort? Chances are, you spend most of your time indoors. That makes the quality of the air you breathe every day a pretty big deal.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve indoor air quality. Let’s look at some of the most common sources of poor air quality and ways to counter them.

Why Should I Worry About My Indoor Air Quality?

No one likes breathing smoggy, dusty air. But did you know that the quality of the air in your home can actually affect your health?

Dust from last month’s deep cleaning that never happened. Pet dander from your favorite Fluffy. Mold spores from a leaky basement window well. Chemicals from a new carpet or even the cleaning products under your sink.

These pollutants can be a real problem for people with allergies and asthma. You might find your kids are getting more frequent colds. You might be experiencing headaches and fatigue that come out of nowhere.

Air quality is a sneaky issue, but sometimes the cause is literally in the air.

The indoor air quality in your home also has financial consequences. Respiratory illness can cost a family in medical bills quickly. Doctor visits, medicines, lost work time. No one wants that, and it’s avoidable with better air.

And it’s not just your health. If you plan on selling your home in the future, you’ll want to make sure you don’t have moisture and mold issues. It’s easy for buyers to spot. And nobody wants to move into someone else’s problem.

What Pollutes My Home’s Air?

There are a lot of ways your indoor air can be contaminated. Let’s walk through some of the usual suspects.

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are the invisible gasses and particles from consumer products we use every day. Nice-smelling fresh paint fumes can be quite strong. But did you know those fumes will stick around for months? Most commercial cleaning products, air fresheners and even some furniture are high in VOCs.

Your kitchen is another common source of indoor air pollution. Cooking spews particulates into the air every time you fry or grill. If you have a kitchen range hood that is powerful and vented to the outside, those particles will go right back out. If not, or if your kitchen doesn’t have a range hood at all, those particles will recirculate through your home. Dust mites are another source of particulates and allergens. They live in upholstery, bedding and carpeting. They’re microscopic but they’re not air quality friendly.

Seasonal changes are another factor. During the winter, homes are sealed tightly to prevent heat loss. Good for your energy bill, not great for your indoor air quality. Your furnace cycles on, stirring up dust and particulates that settled during the off season. If you have a fireplace, that’s adding particulates and smoke as well.

In the summer, increased humidity means moisture in basements and bathrooms. Open windows to catch a breeze? More pollen drifts indoors as well. SALMON HVAC sees these patterns each year in Northern Utah homes, where temperatures can vary drastically between seasons.

Monitoring Air Quality

Don’t try to solve an air quality issue you can’t measure. Air quality monitors have never been more affordable and easy to use.

Some of the latest models connect to your phone and track particulate matter, VOCs, carbon dioxide and more in real time. It can be shocking to see your indoor air quality change when you’re cooking, cleaning or even just entertaining guests.

Monitoring indoor air quality patterns also lets you see which products impact your home the most. You might find out your indoor VOC levels spike with certain cleaning products. Armed with that knowledge, you can make a simple change and use more benign products instead.

Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your family’s air quality.

Regular maintenance on your HVAC system can make a big difference in your air quality. A dirty air filter is one of the leading causes of poor air circulation. A clogged air filter forces your system to work harder, and air filtering efficiency goes way down. SALMON HVAC recommends changing filters at least every three months. Annual inspections can also help you catch problems before they get serious.

Technicians have specialized tools to look for issues you might not be aware of. Leaky ductwork can let unfiltered air into your system. Temperature variations can leave humid pockets in the air where mold and mildew can grow. An experienced technician can also clean ductwork, look for gaps in the system and make sure pollutants are not entering your home from the outside.

Easy Steps to Better Indoor Air Quality

Improving indoor air quality is not as hard as you might think. There are some simple steps you can take to make your home a healthier place.

Take your shoes off at the door to reduce tracked-in dirt and allergens. Vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter vacuum. Open windows and doors when possible to flush out stale air and bring in fresh air.

No smoking indoors. It’s a given, but candles and incense can also pollute the air with particulates and smoke. If these products are part of your home’s style, opt for air-purifying incense that uses a clean-burning charcoal stick instead of smoke. Use exhaust fans when cooking and showering. These are common features in kitchens and bathrooms for a reason. It’s easy to forget to turn them on, but they make a difference. Consider purchasing air purifiers with HEPA filters for high-traffic rooms, particularly bedrooms.

Some houseplants are more than just window dressing. Spider plants, snake plants and peace lilies are all excellent at filtering toxins from your indoor air. NASA researchers have long identified the power of certain houseplants to remove common indoor pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. Strategically placed houseplants can make your home both more beautiful and healthier.

Professional Indoor Air Quality Services

The HVAC industry has a wide range of products and services for improving indoor air quality. If you are experiencing odors that won’t go away, excessive dust despite regular cleaning, visible signs of moisture or mold growth, it’s time to call a professional. The right HVAC contractor has the specialized equipment to comprehensively assess the air quality in your home. The results can pinpoint issues in ductwork, system inefficiencies, and other problems you might not notice but a professional can target.

It might be time for a new HVAC system if yours is more than 10 years old. New systems do a much better job of filtering the air that comes into your home. Advanced humidity control features are also common. HEPA filters can capture microscopic particles that older systems simply can’t trap. Many newer systems are smart technology enabled, allowing you to monitor your indoor air quality remotely and make changes from your phone.

You’ll see the benefits in lower utility bills, fewer health issues and a more comfortable home. Many utility companies offer rebates for energy-efficient system upgrades, making the cost more affordable. The right HVAC system can be a worthy investment in your home.

Your home is your sanctuary, and it starts with the air you breathe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes poor indoor air quality in Utah homes?

Utah homes face unique challenges including high dust levels from our desert climate, temperature inversions that trap pollutants and tightly sealed homes designed to retain heat during our cold winters. Common indoor air pollutants include dust, pet dander, mold from inadequate ventilation, and VOCs from household cleaning products and furnishings.

How often should I change my HVAC filter in Utah’s climate?

In Utah, you should change standard HVAC filters every 1 to 3 months depending on your home’s specific conditions, like pets, allergies, and overall dust levels. In high-pollen seasons like spring and fall, or if you live near a construction zone, you might need to change your filter every month. HEPA filters can last longer but should be inspected regularly.

Can Utah’s dry climate affect my indoor air quality?

Absolutely. Utah’s low humidity levels can dry out your respiratory system making you more sensitive to airborne irritants. Paradoxically, Utah areas with poor ventilation can have moisture problems and mold. A whole-home humidifier can help you keep a healthy relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent.

What plants work best for improving air quality in Utah homes?

Hardy plants like snake plants, pothos, spider plants and peace lilies thrive in Utah’s indoor conditions while filtering air pollutants. These plants tolerate Utah’s lower humidity levels and widely-varying light conditions common in Utah homes. They are also low maintenance.

How does wintertime affect indoor air quality along the Wasatch Front?

Winter temperature inversion layers trap outdoor pollutants in the valleys. Tightly-sealed homes during winter prevent fresh air circulation. Furnaces running constantly recirculate settled dust. Using bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans regularly, air purifiers and scheduling pre-winter HVAC maintenance can combat these seasonal issues.