Indoor Air Quality Solutions in Lake St. Louis, MO | Breathe Easy

Indoor Air Quality Solutions in Lake St. Louis, MO. Clean air is essential for a comfortable and healthy home. At SmartHouse, we help ensure your IAQ supports you and your family’s health. Poor indoor air quality can contribute to a wide range of symptoms—from headaches to breathing problems—but many of these are avoidable. Get in touch with our HVAC professionals for a quote and learn more about home performance services, indoor air quality, and other HVAC solutions in Lake St. Louis, MO.

There are multiple ways to take control of your indoor air quality (IAQ) and ensure a healthier home. In this article, we’ll discuss the following methods:

• Preventable measures to avoid poor indoor air quality.
• Common risks and side effects of bad air quality in your home.

Factors That Influence Lake St. Louis, MO, Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is shaped by multiple elements such as ventilation, humidity levels, airborne pollutants, and VOCs (VOCs). Gaining insight into these aspects is key to creating a healthier indoor environment.

A few things to consider include:

1. Ventilation

Ventilation is essential for maintaining fresh air, lowering pollutant levels, and regulating indoor temperatures. It comes in two types: natural ventilation, which uses open windows and doors to let in fresh air, and mechanical ventilation, such as exhaust fans and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), that work to move air more efficiently.

Opening windows can enhance airflow, but it may also allow outdoor pollutants like pollen and vehicle emissions to enter. For homes in areas with compromised outdoor air quality, mechanical ventilation ensures cleaner, healthier indoor air.

2. Humidity Levels

Balanced humidity (40-60%) helps prevent the growth of mold and keeps airborne irritants like dust mites under control. Excess humidity can lead to condensation, musty odors, and long-term damage to walls and furniture. Low humidity can cause skin dryness, irritated sinuses, and increased static electricity, while also drying out wood furniture and floors, leading to cracks and warping over time. Keeping humidity levels in balance creates a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment.

3. Airborne Pollutants

From daily routines, a variety of airborne pollutants enter our homes, including dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and VOCs from cleaning supplies, furniture, and building materials. Gas stoves and fireplaces may also release harmful combustion byproducts like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.

4. HVAC System Maintenance

Your HVAC system ensures that the air in your home is both circulated and filtered properly. Regular maintenance, such as changing filters every 1-3 months and scheduling professional tune-ups, keeps it functioning smoothly and helps maintain clean air. If your system is outdated, upgrading to energy-efficient models with enhanced air filtration can dramatically improve indoor air quality and comfort.

Indoor Air Quality Concerns For Lake St. Louis, MO, Homeowners

Various factors can lead to poor indoor air quality. Reach out to SmartHouse to find out how our HVAC services can improve your indoor air and comfort.

Poor indoor air quality in Lake St. Louis, MO, homes can have several negative effects on the health and well-being of the occupants.

5 Signs Your Home Needs Purification
Common Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Immediate effects include:

Poor Sleep Quality

• Humidity imbalances, airborne pollutants, and allergens can disrupt sleep, causing snoring, asthma flare-ups, or overall discomfort while resting.

Eye, Throat, and Skin Irritation

• Pollutants, dust, and chemicals can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, leading to symptoms like dry eyes, sore throat, and itchy skin.

Fatigue and Headaches

• VOCs from everyday household products like cleaners, paints, and furniture can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, and may contribute to chronic neurological problems with continued exposure.

Increased Risk of Illness

• Poor IAQ can contribute to the spread of viruses and bacteria in the home in spaces that lack proper ventilation. This can result in colds, flu, or other contagious illnesses that spread easily among family members.

Longer term effects include:

Respiratory Issues

• Exposure to allergens, including dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen, can worsen respiratory issues like asthma, bronchitis, and other breathing problems, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Heart Disease

• Microscopic particles of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in polluted indoor air can enter the bloodstream and cause arterial damage, raising the risk of serious cardiovascular conditions like heart attacks and strokes.

Cancer

• Poor indoor air quality can increase cancer risk due to long-term exposure to harmful pollutants such as radon, VOCs, and fine particulate matter, which have the potential to damage cells and DNA.

Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Improving your indoor air quality is easier than you think. These practical steps will help you keep the air cleaner and prevent more than 99% of mold and bacteria from circulating in your HVAC system.

What should I do to improve air quality in Lake St. Louis, MO?

• Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly vacuum, dust, and wash your bedding to cut down on allergens. Focus on areas like vents, baseboards, and carpets where dust tends to collect. Decluttering helps keep surfaces free of dust while boosting airflow throughout your home.
• Cut Down on Harmful Chemicals: Choose greener cleaning solutions and limit the use of VOC-emitting products like aerosol sprays, scented candles, and other strong chemicals.
• Bring in Natural Air Filters: Air-purifying houseplants, like snake plants and peace lilies, can help improve your indoor air quality. Learn more about which plants filter the air here.
• Grow Air-Cleaning Plants: Snake plants and peace lilies are perfect for naturally filtering toxins from the air. Discover more about their benefits as air-purifiers here.
• Encourage Natural Ventilation: When outdoor air quality and weather are good, open windows to promote healthier indoor air circulation.
• Stay Ahead with Preventive Maintenance: Twice-a-year HVAC checkups reduce wear and tear and help your system work more efficiently year-round.
• Replace Air Filters Regularly: Inspect your HVAC filters each month and replace them when dirty. Clean filters ensure better airflow and trap airborne contaminants.
• Improve Filter Efficiency: Switch to HEPA filters and high-MERV filters for superior particle removal and better air quality.
• Optimize Humidity Levels: Maintain indoor humidity levels between 40% and 60% to prevent mold growth and reduce allergens. Use a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier as needed to keep moisture balanced.
• Optimize Comfort with Smart Tech: Smart thermostats and IAQ sensors offer advanced control over your indoor climate and alert you to shifts in air quality—helping you take quick action when needed. Learn more here.
• Refresh Your Air with an ERV: An Energy Recovery Ventilator enhances indoor air by exchanging stale air for filtered outdoor air, helping maintain ideal humidity and temperature levels.
• Breathe Easier at Home: Air purifiers such as the Daikin AMHP-250 and Aerus Air Scrubber help eliminate indoor air pollutants and boost overall air quality.

These quick changes can dramatically improve air quality in your Lake St. Louis, MO, home or office, making it a safer, more comfortable place to be.

Why SmartHouse for Lake St. Louis, MO, Indoor Air Quality Solutions?

With full-service HVAC capabilities and in-depth knowledge of air quality control, SmartHouse is your go-to solution for indoor air quality solutions in Lake St. Louis, MO.

The SmartHouse team specializes in a variety of different services for Lake St. Louis homeowners, including:

• Attic System Replacement
• Ductless Mini Splits
• HVAC Tax Credit
• AC Replacement
• Air Conditioning Repair
• Boiler Installation
• HVAC Contractor
• Heat Pump Installation
• HVAC Maintenance

Our team is easy to get a hold of. You can give us a call, text us, or schedule an appointment online.

• Call us at 314-370-1816
• Text us at 314-310-2242
• Schedule An Appointment Online

With efficient, eco-friendly HVAC and Air Quality Control solutions, our Lake St. Louis, MO, Air Quality Control experts are here to help.