Why an Energy-Efficient Residence Can Decrease Air Quality and How to Enhance It 

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

Because air has decreased chances to escape, contaminants can build up and impact your house’s indoor air quality. In reality, your home’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 relatives with allergies, asthma, other respiratory disorders or heart disease. 

Let’s go over some of these common contaminants and how you can enhance 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, such as 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 sensitive to 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 Home’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 House Often 

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

2. Routinely Change Your Air Filter 

This essential filter keeps your house comfy and air healthy. How often you should change your air filter depends on the kind of filter you have. Flat filters should be changed every month, while pleated filters should be changed every three months. If you’re not sure if your filter should be changed, 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 family deals with allergies or asthma, we advise having a filter with a better MERV rating. The greater the number this is, the better your filter is at removing contaminants. 

3. Enhance Natural Ventilation 

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

4. Talk with Our Indoor Air Quality Pros 

From whole-home air purifiers, BW/Cook Service Experts has a resolution to help your household breathe better. We’ll help you select the right option during your free home comfort assessment. Contact us at 574-218-6404 to book yours now!