How to test air quality in your home

 

Ensuring the air in your home is clean and healthy is more crucial than ever in today's world. With increasing awareness of indoor air quality's impact on health, it's important to understand how to test and manage the air you breathe every day. Whether you’re noticing symptoms like headaches or allergies or want to ensure your home’s indoor environment is as safe as possible, monitoring your air at home is a proactive step toward a healthier living space.

Why test air quality in your home?

Testing your home's air quality is essential for several reasons. The air at home can be up to 5 times more polluted than the air outside, especially if your house is well-sealed and lacks proper ventilation. Breathing in polluted air can lead to serious health implications. Prolonged exposure to pollutants can lead to a range of symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, respiratory issues, and even long-term conditions like asthma, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. While you may be able to spot mold and mildew in your home, some dangerous hazards (like radon) are colorless and odorless, so you might not even know that they are present - unless you test for them.

Common indoor pollutants

Before diving into testing methods, it’s crucial to understand the common pollutants that can affect indoor air quality:

• Particulate matter: Tiny particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Can cause short and long term issues, such as respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, asthma attacks and chronic bronchitis.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Gases emitted from household products like paints, cleaners, and furniture that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, and damage to the liver, kidneys or central nervous system. 
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂): An invisible gas that comes from human breath and can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas. High levels can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
• Radon: A naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the ground and is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
• Mold: Can grow in damp areas and release spores into the air, causing allergic reactions, respiratory issues and aggravating asthma symptoms.
• Humidity: High humidity levels can promote mold growth and dust mites, which can trigger allergies and asthma. Low humidity can lead to dryness and skin irritation, eyes and respiratory tract.
• Air Pressure: Changes in indoor air pressure can influence the movement of pollutants and affect ventilation, potentially causing discomfort.

Signs of poor indoor air quality

Poor indoor air can seriously impact health and comfort. Although there can be signs that tell you if your indoor air is poor, some dangerous pollutants are invisible and odorless, and the negative health effects aren’t noticeable immediately.

These are some symptoms of bad air quality in the home:

Health problems
If anyone in your household regularly experiences health symptoms such as allergic reactions, eye irritation, frequent coughing, throat/lung irritation, or shortness of breath, it may be a sign of poor air quality. These symptoms can be caused by pollutants such as smoke, mold, pet dander, pollen, or chemicals like formaldehyde. Persistent respiratory issues strongly indicate that it's time to take action.

Humidity issues
While humidity itself isn't inherently a sign of poor air quality, high humidity levels can contribute to it. Excessive moisture in the air fosters the growth of mold, mildew, and rot, and can trap airborne contaminants. If you notice signs of excessive dampness, such as condensation on windows or musty smells, humidity may be affecting your indoor environment.

Lingering odors
Persistent or unpleasant odors—such as food smells, pet odors, or a musty scent—often indicate that contaminants are lingering in the air. Continuous bad smells can suggest poor ventilation, which might be causing pollutants to build up indoors.

Visible contamination
Keep an eye out for visible signs of contamination, including:

• Discolored walls: Check behind picture frames or hanging televisions for any discoloration, especially if anyone in the household smokes.
• Excessive dust: Noticeable dust buildup on shelves, screens, or other surfaces.
• Dirty air filters: Air filters in your HVAC system that get dirty quickly or need frequent replacement can indicate high levels of airborne contaminants.
• Mold or mildew: Visible growth in areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, or along window frames suggests humidity-related issues.

 

What pollutants to monitor in the air at home?

1. Air quality sensor

Using an indoor air quality monitor is the easiest way to test the air in your home. These smart devices detect and measure pollutants in the air. They work around the clock and consistently monitor air for contaminants.

Investing in an air quality monitor is one of the most efficient ways to keep tabs on your indoor environment. For instance, Airthings View Plus offers comprehensive data on particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), radon, humidity, temperature, and pressure. This detailed information helps you detect changes in air quality promptly, ensuring that you can address issues before they become serious while also allowing you to see longer-term trends. By tracking these trends, you can understand what causes spikes in certain pollutants and how your daily activities affect air quality. This deeper understanding is key to maintaining a healthy home environment, as it enables you to make informed decisions about ventilation, cleaning practices, and other measures to improve indoor air quality.

The View Plus monitor is designed to be user-friendly and provide essential features for monitoring air quality effectively. View Plus monitors require the Airthings mobile app to access real-time data and historical trends. 

2. Professional testing services

While an indoor air quality monitor can provide useful insights into improving your home’s air,  for example by indicating when it might be necessary to open a window or turn up your ventilation system, there are instances where professional assistance might be necessary. For example, if you observe high radon levels over extended periods, it's advisable to attempt some DIY fixes and consult professionals for a more comprehensive analysis and lasting solution. Professionals use specialized equipment to detect a wide range of pollutants and provide targeted recommendations based on their findings.

Steps to testing air quality at home

1. Choose the right tool 

Selecting the right indoor quality monitor depends on your monitoring needs, room types, and connectivity preferences. 

Choose a monitor that detects the specific pollutants that concern you. For example, if you live in an area with high outdoor air pollution, you’re more likely to need a model that detects particulate matter (PM). Radon issues can occur in both older homes and newly constructed ones, so it’s important to test for radon regardless of your home’s age. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests testing for radon every two years, but because radon levels can fluctuate due to weather, soil conditions, and changes in ventilation, we recommend continuous monitoring with a radon detector for the best overview of radon levels.

For continuous and comprehensive monitoring, Airthings View Plus is ideal and offers detailed insights into pollutants like CO2, VOCs, PM2.5, and radon in the app for real-time data and trend analysis. It’s perfect for living areas, kitchens and bedrooms where a broad view of air quality is beneficial.

For a more budget-friendly option with Bluetooth connectivity, Airthings Wave Plus provides essential monitoring of radon, CO2, VOCs, and humidity and connects directly to your smartphone via Bluetooth. This model is suitable for various rooms, including basements, where targeted pollutant detection is valuable.

In specific rooms:

• Bathrooms, laundry rooms and garages benefit from Wave Mini, which focuses on humidity and VOCs to help prevent mold and maintain comfort.
• Basements can use View Radon or Corentium Home for insights into radon, ensuring a healthy environment in these crucial areas.

2. Analyze results

Review the data from your air quality monitor. Look for elevated levels of pollutants and identify any patterns or sources of poor air quality. Note that while PM2.5, temperature, air pressure, and humidity readings for Airthings monitors are calibrated out-of-the-box, the VOC, CO2, and radon sensors require additional time to calibrate. Specifically, Airthings monitors’ VOC and CO2 sensors need about a week to fully calibrate. Radon sensors, however, will require up to 30 days for complete calibration. Therefore, ensure you consider this calibration period when analyzing initial data to obtain accurate and reliable results.

3. Maintain your equipment

Regularly maintain your air quality monitors to ensure they provide accurate readings. This includes changing out batteries, checking if the device is still connected to the app, and ensuring the sensors are functioning properly. Regular maintenance will help you continue to monitor indoor air effectively and take timely actions when needed.

4. Take action based on results

Once you have gathered data from your monitors, the next step is to take actionable measures to improve your indoor environment. Here’s how you can effectively respond to the information provided by your monitors:

Improve ventilation: If your sensor data shows elevated levels of pollutants like CO2 or VOCs, improving ventilation is essential. Open windows and use exhaust fans to increase airflow and dilute indoor contaminants.

Use air purifiers: For areas where specific pollutants are consistently high, air purifiers can be a valuable addition. Choose purifiers with appropriate filters for the pollutants you need to address. For example, the Airthings Renew purifier has a HEPA filter that is effective for particulate matter, while the activated carbon filters help reduce VOCs and odors.

Adjust humidity levels: Use a dehumidifier or humidifier as needed to maintain optimal humidity levels to prevent mold growth or increase comfort.

Regular maintenance: Keep track of your air quality trends and perform regular maintenance based on the data. This includes cleaning air ducts, replacing air filters, and checking for mold or moisture issues. Regular upkeep helps prevent the buildup of pollutants and maintains optimal air quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do indoor air quality monitors work?
Indoor air quality monitors use a range of sensors to track various pollutants in your home. These sensors detect and measure levels of pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), and radon. Airthings monitors collect this data continuously and display it in real-time through an app or on the device itself, allowing you to see the air quality trends and make informed decisions to improve your indoor environment.

Where should I place my air quality monitor for the best results?
For the most relevant insights, place your air quality monitor in the area where you spend the majority of your time. This ensures that you’re getting an accurate picture of the air quality where you breathe most frequently. Position it at breathing height on a solid surface, avoid excessively humid areas, and keep it in a spot where it’s less likely to be moved or tampered with. If the monitor has a waving feature, such as Airthings View Plus or Wave Plus, make sure it’s within about 25 cm (10 inches) of your reach for best performance. Learn more about correct placement here.

How can I tell if my air quality monitor is working correctly?
To confirm that your air quality monitor is functioning correctly, check the calibration status as per the manufacturer's instructions and care for the product as needed. Regular updates to the device’s firmware and app can also help ensure it provides accurate data. If you notice any discrepancies or issues, it might be worth contacting customer support for guidance.

Choosing a brand you trust is crucial for ensuring reliable performance and peace of mind. At Airthings, we stand behind our products’ quality, offering both top-notch technology and dedicated customer support to help you maintain optimal air quality in your environment.

What are the limitations of home air quality monitors?
Indoor air quality monitors can have some limitations. They might not detect all types of pollutants, especially those present in very low concentrations. Their accuracy can also vary between models, and some sensors may need regular calibration to stay accurate. For instance, radon and VOC sensors might require several days or weeks to provide stable readings.

How should I interpret fluctuations in air quality data?
Fluctuations in air quality data can be caused by various factors, such as changes in ventilation, recent home activities, or external environmental conditions. To understand these fluctuations, look at the trends over time rather than focusing on isolated spikes. Consider recent events or changes that might have impacted air quality and address any recurring issues.

Can indoor plants help with air quality?
While indoor plants can add a touch of nature to your home, their impact on air quality is very limited. Most studies show that their ability to filter out pollutants is minimal compared to air purifiers and proper ventilation. They do contribute to a pleasant environment and may improve your mood, but they shouldn’t be relied upon as the primary solution for indoor air issues.

Do air quality monitors detect pollutants that come from outside?
Yes, air quality monitors can detect outdoor pollutants that enter your home. For example, models like Airthings View Plus can measure particulate matter (PM2.5) and other pollutants from outside sources, such as traffic or nearby industrial activities, that come in through open windows or vents. These insights help you identify and address external pollution sources to improve your indoor air.