Indoor air quality impacts our health, comfort, and productivity. Studies show that Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, making indoor air quality a significant concern. Poor indoor air quality can lead to different health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and even long-term effects like heart disease.
We are excited to share that our founder and CEO, Grant Leishman, was featured in a recent article highlighting the critical importance of indoor air quality. Grant's insights underscore the significance of addressing indoor air pollution to mitigate health issues such as respiratory problems, allergies, and even long-term effects. Read below to learn more, and for additional information, visit the Porch website.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. We can create a healthier living environment by prioritizing indoor air quality and improving our overall well-being.
How can homeowners determine if their home has poor indoor air quality?
According to the EPA, the air inside our homes can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. This is especially concerning when we spend 90% of our time indoors. If you're wondering whether your home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ), there are three primary ways to find out.
The first is an obvious and not always reliable method: use your five senses. Persistent bad odors, strange tastes in the air, or the appearance of mold, ash, or pollen are all clear signs of indoor pollution. This could become a problem if members of your household suffer from headaches, fatigue, severe allergies, or trouble breathing.
Check your house for common culprits. The list is long, but some of the main focus areas are gas appliances, household chemicals, paint, construction materials, anything that operates with combustion, and pests. These items can emit harmful contaminants into your indoor air that, without proper ventilation, can have deleterious health effects.
The two approaches above are table stakes for managing IAQ, but if you want to be extra sure, you need the help of an indoor air quality monitor. IAQ monitors come in many shapes, sizes, and prices and are designed to measure a wide range of indoor pollutants. With improving sensor technology and the power of machine learning, many affordable and easy-to-use devices are available. Look for one that measures some of the most important and hardest-to-detect pollutants, including mold, radon, carbon monoxide, CO2, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter. Once you see your IAQ monitor readings, you'll have vital information you can use to take a number of easy actions to improve your household's health and safety.
You can find more information about this here: youriaq.com/blog.
Joey Campbell from YourIAQ
What are the key steps for homeowners looking to create a healthier indoor air environment?
Creating a healthier indoor air environment involves a few essential steps.
First, assess your indoor air quality and the outdoor air quality in your location. This helps you understand what you’re dealing with. Outdoor air, affected by factors like wildfires and pollen, can significantly impact indoor air. You can utilize reliable monitors such as Kaiterra’s air quality monitors to track your indoor air quality and use apps to stay updated on ambient air quality. Consider using professional testing services for things like formaldehyde (HCHO) and mold.
Once you have the data, you can take action to improve your IAQ. Removing or minimizing sources of pollution is crucial: use air vents when cooking, opt for electric stoves over gas, prohibit smoking indoors, choose evaporative humidifiers instead of ultrasonic ones, and reduce the use of scented products like air fresheners. Controlling humidity indoors to prevent mold growth is also vital.
Lastly, make sure to ventilate regularly when the outdoor air is good, and use air cleaning technologies as needed. Replace your HVAC filters regularly, and consider purchasing air purifiers, especially if you’re sensitive to particulate matter (PM).
Laura Lian from Kaiterra
What are some natural methods of purifying the air homeowners could try?
Homeowners can naturally purify the air using plants like spider plants and peace lilies, which absorb toxins. Another method is utilizing natural, cruelty-free aromatherapy products like those from Scentuals Natural & Organic Skin Care. Our women and minority-founded Canadian brand offers pure essential oils and blends for diffusers to freshen and cleanse the air. Each essential oil, like tea tree from Australia, is ethically sourced, promoting overall well-being. You can also create a non-toxic, effective multipurpose cleaning spray with our oils.
Using natural home cleaning products instead of toxic ones helps clean your air. Ensure proper ventilation by regularly opening windows to allow fresh air circulation. Using natural materials like beeswax candles can further reduce indoor pollutants. Combined with Scentuals' high-quality aromatherapy products, these methods provide a holistic approach to maintaining a healthy home environment.
Make your Own Multipurpose Cleaning Spray Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup distilled water
1 cup white vinegar
10-15 drops of essential oil (lemon, tea tree, lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus)
1 tbsp baking soda (optional)
1 tbsp castile soap (optional).
Instructions:
Mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle
Add essential oils and optional baking soda or castile soap.
Shake well before use.
This natural spray is versatile, effective, and free from harsh chemicals, making it safer for your home and the environment.
Stephanie Klantschi, Brand Partnerships & National Sales Manager from Scentuals
What are some effective strategies for mitigating air pollution's health impacts in the home?
Effective strategies for mitigating air pollution's health impacts in the home include using high-quality air purifiers, ensuring proper ventilation, and monitoring indoor air quality with reliable, real-time sensors. Regularly tracking pollutants such as PM2.5, VOCs, and CO2 levels allows homeowners to take proactive measures. Additionally, adopting clean cooking practices, reducing the use of harmful household chemicals, and integrating green plants can significantly improve indoor air quality. At AirGradient, we are dedicated to providing innovative solutions and empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to create healthier living environments.
Achim Haug, CEO of AirGradient
What are some common mistakes people make when trying to improve indoor air quality, and how can I avoid them?
Neglecting air filters: Regularly change air filters to minimize dust particles and pollutants circulating indoors.
Skipping HVAC maintenance: Routine HVAC care is crucial for air quality.
Buying polluting products: Opt for eco-friendly alternatives to reduce chemical pollutants.
Ignoring mold and moisture: Address mold promptly to prevent air quality issues.
Not ventilating properly: Ensure proper ventilation to reduce indoor pollutant buildup.
Using harsh cleaning products: Opt for natural or non-toxic cleaners.
Consider air-purifying plants like Aloe Vera, Queen Fern, and Rubber Tree. These plants add greenery, help filter toxins, and improve air quality. Remember, knowledge and action go hand in hand!
Grant Leishman, Founder & CEO from GrowUp Greenwalls
Preventative maintenance is key to extending the lifespan of HVAC systems and maintaining optimal indoor air quality. Experts recommend regular filter changes and cleaning to ensure the system operates efficiently. Consider scheduling professional tune-ups and inspections annually to identify and address any potential issues before they become major problems. By investing in preventative maintenance, you can enjoy cleaner air, lower energy bills, and a longer-lasting HVAC system.
Indoor pollutants can come from different sources, including cleaning products and furniture. To reduce indoor pollutants, use air purifiers and filters to remove harmful particles from the air, and incorporate air-purifying plants. Proper ventilation and air circulation are essential for maintaining a healthy indoor environment. Open windows, use exhaust fans, and ensure the home is well-ventilated to reduce the buildup of indoor pollutants and improve air quality.
What are the most common indoor air pollutants, and how do they affect human health?
Indoor air pollutants include dust, moisture, mold, smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and combustion products from gas-powered appliances. Any amount of exposure to indoor air pollutants can affect your health, but according to the EPA, long-term exposure can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer, and chronic lung diseases such as asthma. Additionally, you may not realize it’s occurring in your home because the initial symptoms of indoor air pollution mimic those of a common cold or allergies.
To combat indoor air pollution, proper ventilation in your home is essential. The American Lung Association recommends using bathroom fans and opening your doors and windows for at least 15 minutes each day. At Solatube International, we’ve pioneered natural home ventilation solutions to make it easier to maintain healthy indoor air.
Whole house fans: The best and easiest way to improve ventilation in your home is with the right whole-house fan. Unlike a traditional air conditioner, whole-house fans do not recirculate the air in the home. Instead, Solatube Whole House Fans pull the cooler outdoor air into your home, through your windows, across your living space, into the attic, and out the attic vents, replacing the hot, stale, polluted air in your home. These fans have been proven to properly ventilate the home and fight against dust, odor, dirty air, and pathogens. Additionally, during the warmer months, a Solatube Whole House Fan can help cool your home and attic by up to 30 degrees, saving you up to 90% off your A/C bill. Learn more here.
Attic fans: For maximum home ventilation, we recommend pairing your Solatube Whole House Fan with a Solatube Solar-Powered Attic Fan. Solar-powered attic fans remove hot air and moisture, preventing mold growth and reducing the load on your air conditioner. Learn more here.
Tim Deming, Director of Retail Marketing, Solatube International, Inc.
How do you recommend choosing the right air purifier for a specific room or space at home?
Choosing the right air purifier involves considering the room application, filter technology, noise level, ongoing operation cost, and enhanced features.
In general, choosing an air purifier based on room type, filtration technology, and application is recommended. If the goal is to reduce odors in the kitchen, we recommend choosing an air purifier with multiple carbon filters, such as the Rabbit Air MinusA2 air purifier with the Odor Remover. Covering up to 815 sq ft, this model can provide plenty of air changes that will help reduce tough kitchen odors faster. The most common space to place an air purifier is the bedroom. For this space, noise and less light pollution is best to get a good night’s sleep. The Rabbit Air BioGS 2.0 interface will disappear for less distraction at night, and at the lowest fan speed, the decibel level is barely a whisper at 22 dBA.
When selecting an air purifier, opt for one with a HEPA filter, which studies show is the most effective at trapping and reducing small airborne particles. A true HEPA filter can capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Other key factors:
Noise Level: Consider the noise level, especially if the purifier will be used in a bedroom or office. Check if it operates quietly at its effective settings.
Ongoing Operation Cost: Look for purifiers with easily replaceable and affordable filters. Some models also have indicators to remind you when to change the filter.
Energy Efficiency: Choose an Energy Star-certified model to save on electricity costs and reduce environmental impact.
Enhanced Features: Consider features like real-time air quality monitoring, app connectivity, and programmable timers for added convenience and control.
Tamina O'Brien from Rabbit Air
What are some common myths or misconceptions about air purifiers and humidifiers?
It is a common misconception that the filter’s efficiency percentage should be the key consideration when choosing an air purifier. However, this is not the case. If a purifier were equipped with a ULPA filter (one with even higher efficiency than HEPA), it could capture ultra-fine particles at a slightly higher efficiency than HEPA, but it would not make your air cleaner as it would likely be harder to move air through such a restrictive type of filter. Ultimately, the key factor to look at is CADR, or the clean air delivery rate of the purifier system (filter and purifier).
A unit with a higher CADR will be able to cover a larger space, keeping the ambient level of harmful fine particulates down to nearly zero in many cases. Of course, along with CADR, it is important to look at the sound level at maximum fan speed to make sure it’s tolerable. Another misconception is that all purifiers can eliminate fine particulates, odors, and gasses.
This is not the case. While a purifier equipped with a HEPA filter is excellent at trapping dust and other types of particles, it will not capture gases. Household odors are gaseous contaminants, and to adsorb them, you need a filter that includes a layer with molecular media such as activated carbon.
What role do houseplants play in improving indoor air quality?
Regular houseplants, such as pothos, peace lily, spider plant, or snake plant, have been noted for their ability to improve indoor air quality by absorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, their effectiveness is very limited, often requiring dozens of plants to make a noticeable impact in a single room. In addition, most houseplants usually don't know how to deal with pollutants and will accumulate them in their cells until saturation.
Over the past 5 years at Neoplants, we have put together a team of scientists and engineers to develop a groundbreaking solution called Neo Px: a bioengineered system designed to purify the air in your home, equivalent to up to thirty regular houseplants. Neo Px is composed of our bioengineered microbiome (good bacteria that live outside and inside the plant), a custom-designed planter, and a regular marble queen pothos. We target harmful indoor air pollutants, including benzene, toluene, and xylene, which are constantly emitted indoors and pose significant health risks. Our system does not store pollutants but recycles them into useful compounds and organic matter.
Lionel Mora, Co-founder and CEO from Neoplants
What are some tips for selecting the right air-purifying plants for a specific room or space?
When selecting the right air-purifying plants for a specific room or space, there are several factors to consider:
Light availability: Assess the natural light in the room. Plants like the Snake Plant and Spider Plant thrive in low light, while others, like Rubber Plants and most Philodendrons, need bright, indirect light.
Space and size: Consider the size of the room and available space for the plant to grow. Larger plants like the Fiddle Leaf Fig are suitable for spacious areas, whereas smaller plants like Pothos or Peace Lilies fit well on shelves or desks.
Air quality needs: Identify specific air quality concerns. Plants like the Spider Plant are excellent for removing toxins, while others like the English Ivy are effective at improving overall air quality.
Maintenance level: Choose plants based on the care you can provide. Low-maintenance plants like ZZ Plants are ideal for busy individuals, while plants like the Boston Fern require more attention.
Aesthetic and functionality: Ensure the plant complements your room’s decor and serves its purpose, whether it’s improving air quality, adding greenery, or creating a focal point.
Implement balanced ventilation systems so fresh air circulates throughout the home. Mechanical ventilation systems, such as heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), effectively maintain indoor air quality. These systems exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while recovering heat or moisture to improve energy efficiency.
Maintaining good indoor air quality starts with regular cleaning and upkeep of your home. By keeping your HVAC system and other air quality appliances well-maintained, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure a healthier living environment for your family.
Dust surfaces with a microfiber cloth to trap particles
Vacuum carpets and rugs at least once a week using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters, or High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters, can trap 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which includes dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and even some bacteria
Mop hard floors regularly to pick up any lingering dust and debris. Don't forget to clean under furniture and in corners, where dust bunnies tend to accumulate
Change HVAC filters every 1-3 months. Regularly changing the filters is crucial because dirty filters can become clogged with dust, pollen, and other particles, restricting airflow and making your HVAC system work harder. This reduces its efficiency and can lead to higher energy bills and potential damage over time
Scheduling annual maintenance with a professional technician ensures that your heating and cooling systems are in top condition. During a maintenance visit, the technician will clean and inspect all components, check for any wear and tear, and make necessary adjustments. This preventative care can identify and fix small issues before they become major problems, prolonging the lifespan of your HVAC system and maintaining optimal performance
Consider a home warranty. It covers repairs or replacements for key appliances like air purifiers and HVAC systems, which are crucial in maintaining air quality. A home warranty ensures these appliances stay in top condition, reducing the risk of sudden breakdowns that could compromise your home's air quality. If any of your systems malfunction or break down, this will keep you protected from any additional costs from repairs or replacements
Indoor air quality is critical to our overall health and well-being. Homeowners can create healthier living spaces by prioritizing preventative maintenance, reducing indoor pollutants, implementing effective ventilation systems, and maintaining a clean home environment. By following these expert insights, you can enjoy cleaner air, better health, and a more comfortable living environment.
This article was written by Porch, a company that offers personalized home warranty and insurance policies.
Posted by Porch
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