Why an Energy-Efficient House Can Influence Air Quality and How to Make It Better 

Homes today are constructed with energy efficiency in mind. This includes added insulation and tightly sealed doors and windows to keep heating and cooling costs affordable. While this is great for your energy costs, it’s not so good for your indoor air quality. 

Because air has reduced chances to escape, contaminants can increase and impact your house’s indoor air quality. In fact, your house’s air can actually be 2–5 times worse than the outdoors, according to the EPA. That’s not good for anyone, but it’s particularly detrimental for loved ones with allergies, asthma, other respiratory disorders or heart disease. 

Let’s discuss some of these everyday contaminants and how you can improve your house’s indoor air quality. 

6 Everyday Pollutants that Affect Indoor Air Quality 

When you envision pollutants, you may think about smog or tobacco smoke. But many substances that impact your air quality are common substances. These things contain chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. 

They involve: 

1. Cleaning products, like aerosol sprays, bleach and window cleaner. 

2. Personal care products, like hairspray, perfume and nail products. 

3. Candles and air fresheners. 

4. Formaldehyde, which is frequently used in plastic, foam and particleboard products. 

5. Furniture, window treatments and carpet, particularly when they’re brand new. 

6. Paints and stains. 

Other everyday pollutants include: 

• Dust 
• Pet dander 

• Pollen 
• Mold 

Symptoms of VOC Exposure 

Some people are more influenced by VOCs than others. The EPA says symptoms of VOC exposure entail: 

• Irritated eyes, nose or throat 

• Headaches 
• Dizziness 
• Fatigue 

In bad situations, the EPA says VOCs can cause respiratory and heart diseases. 

4 Ways to Enhance Your House’s Indoor Air Quality 

It isn’t hard to boost your house’s air quality. Here are several ideas from Harvard Medical School: 

1. Clean Your Residence Frequently 

Regularly cleaning and washing surfaces that attract allergens, like furniture, carpet and bedding, will help cut down on dust, dust mites and pet dander in your house. 

2. Routinely Switch Your Air Filter 

This essential filter keeps your house comfy and air fresh. How often you should change your air filter depends on the kind of filter you install. Flat filters should be replaced monthly, while pleated filters should be replaced every three months. If you don’t know if your filter should be replaced, take it out and tilt it to the light. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it. 

If someone in your household deals with allergies or asthma, we suggest having a filter with a better MERV rating. The bigger the number this is, the better your filter is at removing contaminants. 

3. Enhance Natural Ventilation 

Keep fresh air moving by opening windows whenever the temperature allows. We also suggest running exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen frequently to get rid of pollutants and draw in more fresh air. 

4. Talk with Our Indoor Air Quality Pros 

From whole-home air purifiers, Chief/Bauer Service Experts has a resolution to help your household breathe better. We’ll help you choose the best option during your free home comfort assessment. Reach us at 217-689-2469 to schedule yours now!