Indoor Air Quality Solutions in Maryland Heights, MO | Breathe Easy

Indoor Air Quality Solutions in Maryland Heights, 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 Maryland Heights, MO.

Fortunately, you have various options to improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) and create a healthier living environment. In this article, we’ll explore the following strategies:

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

Factors That Influence Maryland Heights, MO, Indoor Air Quality

Several factors, such as ventilation, humidity, airborne pollutants, and VOCs (VOCs), impact your indoor air quality. Knowing how these elements affect your space can help you create a more comfortable and healthy indoor environment.

A few things to consider include:

1. Ventilation

Effective ventilation promotes fresh air circulation, prevents the buildup of pollutants, and helps regulate the temperature indoors. It can be either natural ventilation, relying on open windows and doors for air exchange, or mechanical ventilation, like exhaust fans and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), that move air more efficiently.

While opening windows can improve airflow, it might also let in outdoor pollutants, such as pollen or vehicle emissions. In locations with poor outdoor air quality, opting for mechanical ventilation is a more reliable way to maintain clean 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

Everyday activities introduce a wide range of airborne contaminants, including dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and VOCs from cleaning supplies, furniture, and building materials. Gas stoves and fireplaces can also release 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 Maryland Heights, MO, Homeowners

There are a variety of reasons you might suffer from poor indoor air quality. Get in touch with our team at SmartHouse today to learn more about handling indoor air and other HVAC needs.

Poor indoor air quality in Maryland Heights, MO, homes may cause 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

• Airborne pollutants, allergens, and fluctuating humidity levels can disturb your sleep cycle, contributing to snoring, asthma episodes, or overall discomfort at night.

Eye, Throat, and Skin Irritation

• Exposure to dust, pollutants, and chemicals can result in irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, which may cause dry eyes, sore throat, and itchy skin.

Fatigue and Headaches

• High concentrations of VOCs found in household cleaners, paints, and furniture can result in symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, and may lead to neurological issues over time.

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

• Increased exposure to allergens (e.g., dust mites, mold, pet dander, pollen) can lead to asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems. This can be especially alarming for children, the elderly, or those 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

• Indoor air pollutants like radon, VOCs, and fine particulate matter are linked to an increased cancer risk, as extended exposure can damage cells and DNA, affecting overall health.

Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Enhancing IAQ doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are easy and effective steps to ensure cleaner indoor air that can prevent more than 99% of any mold and bacteria that pass through your HVAC system.

What should I do to improve air quality in Maryland Heights, 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.
• Reduce Chemical Pollutants: Opt for eco-friendly cleaning products and steer clear of VOC-releasing items like aerosol sprays, scented candles, and harsh chemicals.
• Add Air-Purifying Plants: Houseplants like snake plants and peace lilies naturally clean the air by filtering out toxins. Explore a list of air-filtering houseplants here.
• Use Air-Cleansing Plants: Houseplants such as snake plants and peace lilies act as natural air purifiers. Find out more about the best plants for improving air quality here.
• Improve Airflow Naturally: Open windows whenever outdoor air quality (and temperature) allow for natural air exchange.
• Book Seasonal HVAC Tune-Ups: Twice-yearly HVAC maintenance helps catch issues early and keeps your system performing at its best.
• Keep Filters Fresh: Monthly filter replacement helps your system breathe easy and keeps common irritants out of your living space.
• 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.
• Use Smart Thermostats / IAQ Sensors: Use smart thermostats and IAQ sensors to monitor air quality and adjust temperature and humidity for optimal comfort. These devices can alert you to fluctuations in air quality and help you maintain a healthier indoor environment.
• Improve Ventilation with an ERV: These systems provide a steady flow of fresh outdoor air while retaining heat or cooling from the outgoing air, making your home healthier and more efficient.
• Eliminate Indoor Air Pollutants: Whole-home systems like the Daikin AMHP-250 or Aerus Air Scrubber continuously clean the air in your home, capturing bacteria, allergens, and odors.

Simple improvements go a long way—boost the indoor air quality of your Maryland Heights, MO, property and promote a healthier living or working space.

Why SmartHouse for Maryland Heights, MO, Indoor Air Quality Solutions?

From comprehensive HVAC services to expert air quality guidance, SmartHouse is the trusted name for indoor air quality solutions in Maryland Heights, MO.

The SmartHouse team specializes in a number of different services for Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights, MO, Air Quality Control pros are here to help.