Introduction: The Air You Breathe Matters More Than You Think
When we think about home comfort here in Northeast Ohio, most of us focus on temperature. Is the furnace keeping us warm during those brutal Elyria winters? Is the air conditioning fighting off the humid July heat? While temperature control is certainly important, there's something equally critical that often flies under the radar: the quality of the air circulating through your home.
At BRICO, we've been helping families across Lorain County create healthier, more comfortable living environments since 1985. Over the decades, we've seen firsthand how improving indoor air quality transforms homes—and the health of the families living in them. Today, we're diving deep into three compelling reasons why indoor air quality deserves your attention, along with practical steps you can take to breathe easier.
Reason 1: Your Health and Your Family's Well-Being
The Hidden Pollution Inside Your Home
Here's a statistic that surprises many homeowners: according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. In some cases, it can be up to 100 times worse. That's right—the air inside your sealed, climate-controlled home may actually be dirtier than the air outside.
How does this happen? Modern homes are built to be energy-efficient, which means they're tightly sealed to prevent conditioned air from escaping. While this is great for your utility bills, it also means that pollutants have nowhere to go. They accumulate and recirculate through your ductwork every time your HVAC system kicks on.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
The list of potential contaminants in your home's air is longer than most people realize:
- Dust mites and their waste products — A major trigger for allergies
- Pet dander — Even if you don't have pets, visiting guests can bring it in
- Pollen — Gets tracked inside on shoes and clothing
- Mold spores — Thrive in humid areas like bathrooms and basements
- Bacteria and viruses — Can linger in the air for hours
- Dust and particulate matter — From everyday activities like cooking and cleaning
The Impact on Allergies and Respiratory Health
For family members with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions, poor indoor air quality can mean constant discomfort. Symptoms like persistent congestion, itchy eyes, frequent sneezing, and difficulty breathing often worsen when spending extended time indoors—especially during Ohio's long winters when windows stay closed for months.
Children and elderly family members are particularly vulnerable. Young lungs are still developing, and older adults may have compromised immune systems. By improving your indoor air quality, you're not just adding comfort—you're actively protecting the health of your most vulnerable family members.
Pro Tip: Start with the basics—change your HVAC filters every 30 to 90 days. A clogged filter doesn't just reduce your heating system's efficiency; it stops trapping the very particles that trigger allergies and irritate your lungs.
Reason 2: Eliminating Hidden Pollutants and VOCs
What Are VOCs and Why Should You Care?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and can have significant short- and long-term health effects. The scary part? They're found in countless everyday household items:
- Cleaning supplies and disinfectants
- Paints, varnishes, and wood finishes
- New furniture and carpeting
- Air fresheners and scented candles
- Personal care products
- Cooking fumes and grease
When you bring that new couch home or paint a bedroom, you're introducing VOCs into your living space. These chemicals can cause headaches, dizziness, and eye irritation in the short term. Long-term exposure has been linked to more serious health concerns.
The Tight Home Dilemma
Here in Northeast Ohio, we deal with extreme temperature swings—from sweltering summers to frigid winters. To keep energy costs manageable, most homes are built (or retrofitted) to be as airtight as possible. This is excellent for energy efficiency but creates a ventilation problem.
Without adequate fresh air exchange, VOCs and other pollutants build up over time. Unlike the temperature, which you can easily monitor with a thermostat, air quality problems often go unnoticed until they start affecting your health.
Solutions That Actually Work
The good news? Modern IAQ technology offers real solutions:
- Whole-home air purifiers integrate with your existing HVAC system to filter air throughout your entire home—not just one room
- UV germicidal lights installed in your ductwork destroy bacteria, viruses, and mold spores before they can circulate
- Activated carbon filters specifically target VOCs and odors
- Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) bring in fresh outdoor air while recovering energy from the exhaust air—perfect for our Ohio climate
- **Heat pumps** with advanced filtration can improve air quality while providing efficient heating and cooling
Reason 3: Protecting Your HVAC Investment
Your Equipment Needs Clean Air Too
When we talk about indoor air quality, the conversation usually focuses on human health—and rightfully so. But there's another important consideration: the health of your HVAC equipment itself.
Think about it. Every day, your heating and cooling system moves thousands of cubic feet of air through your ductwork. If that air is laden with dust, dirt, pet hair, and debris, guess where all that gunk ends up? Inside your equipment.
The Hidden Cost of Dirty Air
When contaminants build up on critical components like evaporator coils, blower motors, and heat exchangers, several problems emerge:
- Reduced efficiency — Your system has to work harder to move air, consuming more energy
- Higher utility bills — That extra work translates directly to higher monthly costs
- Increased wear and tear — Components under strain fail sooner
- Premature system failure — What should last 15-20 years might only make it 10
- Costly repairs — Dirty coils and clogged components lead to breakdowns
The Math Makes Sense
Consider this: a new furnace or air conditioning system can easily cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more when you factor in installation. Even a high-quality whole-home air purification system costs a fraction of that amount.
By investing in air quality improvements, you're essentially buying insurance for your HVAC equipment. Clean air means clean coils, efficient operation, lower utility bills, and a system that reaches—or exceeds—its expected lifespan.
Pro Tip: Schedule annual maintenance for your HVAC system. Our technicians clean internal components, check for efficiency issues, and can recommend air quality upgrades tailored to your home's specific needs.
Taking Action: Practical Steps for Better Indoor Air
Start With an Assessment
Every home is different. A century-old Craftsman in downtown Elyria has different air quality challenges than a newly constructed home in Avon Lake. That's why we recommend starting with a professional indoor air quality assessment.
During an assessment, our technicians evaluate:
- Current filtration and its effectiveness
- Humidity levels throughout your home
- Potential sources of contamination
- Ductwork condition and cleanliness
- Opportunities for improvement based on your family's specific needs
Consider Your Options
Based on the assessment, solutions might include:
- Upgraded filtration — Moving from basic fiberglass filters to high-efficiency MERV-rated options
- Whole-home humidifiers or dehumidifiers — Maintaining optimal 30-50% humidity
- Duct cleaning and sealing — Removing accumulated debris and preventing leaks
- Air purification systems — HEPA filtration, UV lights, or activated carbon based on your needs
- Ventilation improvements — Ensuring adequate fresh air exchange
- **Geothermal systems** — These ultra-efficient systems can be paired with advanced IAQ solutions
Breathe Easier With BRICO
Indoor air quality isn't just about comfort—it's about health, efficiency, and protecting your investment in your home. Whether you're dealing with allergy symptoms, concerned about VOCs from a recent renovation, or simply want to extend the life of your HVAC equipment, improving your air quality is a smart investment.
At BRICO, our family has been helping Northeast Ohio families breathe easier since 1985. We understand the unique challenges of our Ohio climate and the specific needs of homes in Elyria, Lorain County, and the surrounding communities.
Ready to learn more? Contact BRICO today for a comprehensive indoor air quality assessment. We'll evaluate your home, discuss your concerns, and recommend solutions that fit your budget and your family's needs. Because everyone deserves to breathe clean, healthy air—especially in their own home.