7 Home Upgrades That Can Improve Indoor Air Quality
Most of us don’t think much about the air inside our homes. We worry about outdoor pollution and pollen seasons, but then walk inside and assume we’re safe. The truth is, indoor air can actually be worse. Dust and chemicals from furniture and paint all accumulate over time. However, with a few targeted upgrades, you can change how these substances affect you. Here are seven worth looking at.
1. Upgrade Your Air Filtration
The filter in your HVAC system will either do more work than it should or not do enough, depending on what’s installed. Basic fibreglass filters catch the big stuff but let many finer particles through. Switching to a higher-MERV-rated filter is one of the simplest changes you can make.
Proper maintenance of an HVAC pump system can also help support better airflow and overall system efficiency.
While you’re at it, have your ductwork inspected if it’s been a few years. Leaky ducts can spread settled dust throughout the house and, in some cases, harbour mould, possibly undoing whatever your filter is trying to accomplish.
2. Give Your Home a Way to Breathe
Modern homes are well-sealed, which is great for energy bills but not always great for air quality. When cooking, smoke and moisture usually have nowhere to go.
A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) addresses this by drawing in fresh outdoor air while removing stale air, and recovering most of the heat in the process. It works year-round and is probably the best long-term investment for air quality in a tightly built home.
3. Be Picky About Paints and Finishes
That new paint smell you might be noticing in your home is a mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into the air, sometimes for months. If you’re repainting or refinishing anything, consider choosing low- or zero-VOC products. They’re widely available now, and the performance difference is very significant.
This applies to flooring adhesives and other finishing materials too, especially in rooms that don’t get much airflow.
4. Actually Vent Your Kitchen
Kitchens are among the biggest contributors to poor indoor air quality in most homes. Cooking produces moisture, grease, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide. A range hood that vents to the outside helps recirculate air and makes a noticeable difference.
If you’re renovating anyway, you might want to invest in a well-constructed hood. Brands like CopperSmith make handcrafted metal hoods that seal and ventilate properly while adding a design element that looks intentional.
5. Deal With Moisture Before It Becomes a Problem
High humidity is one of the most overlooked causes of air quality issues. It brings mould, creates musty odours, and affects respiratory health over time. Sometimes it does so very slowly, and people don’t connect the dots.
Portable dehumidifiers help, but they have limits. A whole-home dehumidifier tied into your HVAC system, especially in a basement or crawl space, is a more complete solution. Sealing foundation cracks and upgrading bathroom exhaust fans also reduces the amount of moisture that enters the living space in the first place.
6. Reconsider Your Floors
Carpet is an effective trap for dust, pet hair, allergens, and mould spores. Regular vacuuming helps, but doesn’t fully solve the problem. So it might not be a good idea to have one in your apartment.
There are other safer alternatives for improving home air quality. For one, hard flooring, such as hardwood, tile, or quality luxury vinyl plank, is easier to clean. If pulling up all the carpet isn’t realistic, area rugs on hard floors are a reasonable middle ground since they can be washed or swapped out.
When shopping for hard flooring, look for products with low formaldehyde emissions, because some cheaper vinyl options can release chemicals into the air, trading one problem for another.
7. Add Some Plants (Strategically)
Plants won’t replace a good filtration system, but they’re not just decorative either. Some species absorb CO₂, add a bit of humidity in dry conditions, and may help with certain airborne compounds. Peace lilies, snake plants, pothos, and Boston ferns are popular, low-maintenance choices for people who don’t consider themselves plant people.
The key is grouping several together in rooms where you spend time, such as the bedroom, home office, and living room, instead of scattering one or two around the house.
You don’t need to tear everything apart in your home to breathe better. Better filtration and smarter material choices go a long way. Start with whatever is most relevant to your specific situation. This could be a damp basement, a poorly ventilated kitchen, an ageing carpet, and build from there.
If you’re not sure where to start, basements and kitchens should be your priority. Bedrooms are worth prioritising, too, since that’s where most people spend a third of their lives, and the air quality there directly affects sleep and recovery. Every little improvement matters, and you’ll likely notice the difference with time.
This is a collaborative post.
