Tired of getting a full 10 hours of sleep and still waking up feeling exhausted? It’s not just about how much you sleep—it’s about the air you breathe. With 90% of your time spent indoors, indoor air quality plays a major role in how you feel throughout the day. Poor indoor air quality can lead to the buildup of pollutants and moisture in your home, resulting in bothersome and potentially harmful long-term health issues. In this blog, we will explore the immediate and lasting impacts of air quality and provide you with effective strategies to improve it.
Why Air Quality Matters
While everyone can experience negative health effects from poor air quality, children are especially vulnerable. Exposure to even low levels of toxic chemicals during critical developmental stages may disrupt growth and increase the risk of long-term health problems. This includes respiratory issues, developmental delays and cognitive impairments. These risks are exceptionally high when homes have high VOC levels or poor ventilation.
Poor ventilation and inadequate heating may significantly impact air-sensitive populations, including the elderly, those with disabilities and individuals undergoing medical treatments. Poor ventilation allows pollutants to accumulate, worsening respiratory conditions.
The Role of Ventilation in Reducing Airborne Pollutants
Effective ventilation reduces moisture and indoor pollutants such as CO2 and VOCs. Elevated CO2 levels mean there is an insufficient exchange of air, allowing pollutants to build inside.
Research shows if there’s too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air inside buildings, it can make people think and work slower or less efficiently. Higher ventilation rates (which means more fresh air coming in) can help keep CO2 levels lower, and research has shown that when CO2 is kept at safe levels, people’s brain performance improves. This is particularly important in places like schools or offices where staying focused and thinking clearly is key.
Air Quality Considerations During New Home Construction & Design
When building a new home, air quality should be a top priority. Modern airtight construction methods are energy-efficient, but often restrict natural airflow, leading to poor indoor air quality. Improving your home’s air quality is essential for creating a healthy and happy living environment for you and your loved ones.
Implementing some of the following air quality strategies can help maintain high-quality air in new builds.
Integrating Effective Ventilation Systems for Optimal Airflow
To maintain good indoor air quality, a balanced ventilation system is essential. Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) provide an ideal solution by supplying and exhausting equal amounts of air while recovering heat or moisture, minimizing energy loss and maintaining comfort year-round. This is critical for ensuring consistent airflow and high air quality year-round.
Proper Exhaust & Supply Ventilation in High-Pollution Areas
Certain areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms, require dedicated exhaust systems to remove excess moisture, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants. When building your new kitchen and bathrooms, consider choosing exhaust fans that follow ventilation best practices.
- Bathrooms: Install exhaust fans with a ventilation rate of 50 cubic feet per minute (CFM) for occasional use, or one CFM per square foot for continuous ventilation.
- Kitchens: Use exhaust fans rated for 100 CFM for occasional use or 25 CFM for continuous ventilation. If you have a gas stove, make sure your range hood vents to the outside to prevent carbon monoxide buildup and back-drafting.
Complying with Building Codes for Ventilation Efficiency
New homes must meet the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), which mandates mechanical ventilation for airtight homes. The code specifies a ventilation rate based on the home’s size and the number of bedrooms. Installing systems that comply with these regulations ensures both optimal air quality and energy efficiency.
Studies show that increasing ventilation rates can even lower health risks. Keeping CO2 levels below 900 ppm and achieving 0.4 air changes per hour (ACH) provides an ideal exchange for mitigating health risks, asthma, allergies and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms.
Installing High-Quality Filtration Systems for Clean Air Circulation
Without adequate ventilation, pollutants like CO2, VOCs, and moisture can accumulate, leading to headaches, fatigue, and respiratory issues. Filters with a MERV 13 rating capture harmful particles, such as dust, pet dander and other allergens. These filters help ensure long-term air quality, especially in homes with high air circulation.
Improving Air Quality in Your Current Home
Even if your home is already built, it’s not too late to start improving your air quality. It’s always best to start by conducting air quality testing to understand your home’s current air quality. After assessing your air quality, consider these strategies to improve ventilation, reduce pollutants and create a healthier living environment.
Avoiding Ozone Generators & Harmful Air Purifiers
While some appliances are marketed as air purifiers, some are ozone generators that can degrade indoor air quality. Elevated levels of ozone can irritate the respiratory system and worsen conditions like asthma. It’s best to avoid this type of purifier and focus instead on using proper filtration systems and ventilation to maintain healthy indoor air.
Wallet-Friendly DIY Air Purifiers for Temporary Relief
If you’re on a budget, some people have created a DIY air purifier (such as using a box fan with a furnace filter), which can reduce particulate matter in the air. But, it is important to remember that these crafty solutions really should be temporary as it’s difficult to measure their efficacy. They shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for professional-grade air purifiers or a sustainable ventilation strategy.
Air Purifier Recommendations for Long-Term Air Quality Improvement
For long-term air quality improvement, experts recommend high-quality air purifiers with efficient filtration, like Blueair products. Try to avoid ionizers and ozone generators, as they can introduce harmful substances into the air.
Humidity Control to Prevent Allergies & Respiratory Issues
Humidity plays a significant role in indoor air quality. High humidity encourages mold growth, while low humidity can cause dryness and irritation.
Use a hygrometer to monitor indoor humidity levels and maintain between 35% and 60% to prevent mold and achieve continuous comfortable air quality. This helps prevent mold, dust mites, and other allergens, which thrive in humidity, while also avoiding dryness or irritation in the air.
Equipped with accurate measurements in your main living spaces, you can dial in the right humidifier settings each season. Sometimes these are paired with your thermostat but you might also find the controls near your furnace.
Reducing VOCs from Household Products and Furnishings
Many household items release VOCs, which degrade air quality. VOCs and formaldehyde are common indoor pollutants released by building materials, household products, and cleaning supplies. Some rugs and furniture contribute to poor air quality by emitting these harmful chemicals. Cleaning products, particularly those containing bleach, are another major source of indoor air pollution. What’s more, scented products like air fresheners and candles also emit chemicals designed to mask odors, which can introduce additional pollutants into the air.
These chemicals can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause headaches, and contribute to respiratory diseases. Over time, they may increase the risk of cancer and other serious health problems. Instead, try to choose low-VOC or non-toxic materials such as low-VOC paints, finishes, adhesives and flooring options to reduce harmful emissions. Consider using materials approved by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system, which meets strict indoor air quality standards.
Notes on Older Homes & Hazardous Materials
Older homes may still contain hazardous materials like lead paint or asbestos insulation. When disturbed, these can release dangerous particles into the air, posing serious health risks.
While it’s beneficial to remove these materials, it’s important that you do it the right way to avoid a release of chemicals into the air. We always recommend consulting professionals for safe removal.
The Science of Passive House Design & Air Quality
Passivhaus, originating in Germany, refers to a building standard that keeps the temperature comfortable by using fresh air for heating or cooling without the need for additional recirculation of air. Passive house design focuses on creating energy-efficient homes with airtight building envelopes and energy-efficient ventilation systems to ensure clean, fresh air circulation while reducing energy consumption. Homes with Passivhaus ventilation systems maintain much lower CO2 levels than homes relying on natural ventilation or open windows.
Passivhaus design relies on five key principles:
- Super-insulation
- Thermal bridge-free construction
- Airtightness
- High-performance windows & doors
- Heat recovery ventilation
Impressively, this can result in up to 85% less energy consumption for heating and cooling compared to standard homes, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. These homes are also designed to prevent overheating, reducing the need for cooling systems.
Passive homes also use efficiently designed ventilation systems equipped with heat and moisture recovery, ensuring fresh air circulation while maintaining energy efficiency. The Passivhaus Trust ensures that passive house buildings are designed to meet the rigorous standards of expert third-party inspections and minimize the risks of indoor pollutants like CO2, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter, supporting both comfort and health year-round.
Passivhaus Design Addresses Pollutants
The Passivhaus design addresses these issues by maintaining consistent temperatures and optimal air quality. These homes minimize heat loss and provide a stable environment while controlling indoor air pollutants. This combination of efficient heating and high-performance ventilation creates a safer, more comfortable space, especially for sensitive individuals.
Healthy Air, Happy Living
As we age, maintaining healthy indoor air quality is essential to our well-being and comfort. By combining the innovative passive house design principles with low-emission materials, we can build healthy and comfortable living environments.