When most people think about pollution, they picture car exhaust, smog, or factories. But what many homeowners don’t realize is that the air inside your home can actually be more polluted than the air outside.
Indoor air quality, often called IAQ, affects your comfort, your health, and even how well your HVAC system runs.
If you’ve been sneezing a lot, smelling odd odors, or noticing more dust than usual, your indoor air quality might not be as clean as you think.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand the signs of poor indoor air, what causes it, and how to improve it.
Indoor air quality refers to how clean and healthy the air is inside your home. It’s affected by things like dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, humidity, and even cleaning products or building materials.
Good air quality means you can breathe easily without irritation or odors. Bad air quality can make you feel stuffy, tired, or even sick over time.
Because most people spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors, keeping the air clean in your home is really important, especially during the colder months when homes in Northeast Ohio are sealed up tight.
Clean air isn’t just about comfort, it’s about health. Poor air quality can cause or worsen symptoms like:
Over time, bad indoor air can also affect your home. It can cause dust buildup, mold growth, and even shorten the life of your HVAC system.
Sometimes, poor air quality is easy to spot, but other times it’s sneaky. Here are the most common signs to look for in your home.
If you find yourself sneezing, coughing, or feeling congested at home but not when you go outside, your air quality might be to blame.
Dust, pollen, pet hair, and mold spores can all circulate through your air ducts and make you feel like you have allergies year-round.
This is especially common in homes with pets or older ductwork that hasn’t been cleaned in a while.
If you wipe down a table and it’s dusty again in just a day or two, your HVAC system might not be filtering air properly.
A dirty or clogged furnace filter can let dust and debris recirculate through your vents, which makes your air dirtier and your furnace work harder.
Changing your filter regularly and scheduling duct cleaning when needed can make a big difference.
If your home smells stuffy or musty even after cleaning, that can be a sign of poor ventilation or hidden moisture.
Odors from mold, mildew, or pet dander can build up inside ducts or carpets. You might also notice smells coming from your vents when the heat or AC kicks on.
Moisture problems are common in Northeast Ohio basements, so if you smell dampness, it’s worth having your HVAC system and ducts checked for mold or buildup.
If someone in your household has asthma or allergies and their symptoms get worse indoors, that’s a big red flag.
Indoor air often contains microscopic particles that can trigger breathing issues, even when the house looks clean.
Airborne irritants like dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander are common culprits. Installing an air purifier or upgrading your HVAC filter can help remove those particles from the air.
Poor air circulation or high levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) can make you feel sluggish or give you headaches.
If you notice you feel better after spending time outside, your home’s air might be stale or lacking ventilation.
Sometimes, gas appliances like furnaces or stoves that aren’t vented properly can also release harmful gases like carbon monoxide. That’s why having annual HVAC inspections is so important for both safety and air quality.
If you can see mold on your walls, vents, or around windows, your air quality is already suffering.
Mold grows in damp, poorly ventilated areas, and it releases tiny spores that float in the air and can cause breathing problems.
If you see visible mold or smell that telltale musty odor, call a professional right away. You’ll need to fix the moisture source and have your system checked to keep mold from spreading.
Humidity plays a big role in air quality.
If your air is too dry, you may notice static electricity, dry skin, or cracked lips. If it’s too humid, you might see condensation on windows, musty smells, or mold growth.
The ideal humidity level for most homes is between 30 and 50 percent. Using a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier can help balance things out.
If your system seems to run all the time or the air never feels quite right, it could be a sign your HVAC system is working harder because of dirty air filters or blocked ducts.
This can reduce airflow, lower efficiency, and spread dust and allergens through your home.
There are lots of possible causes, and sometimes it’s a combination of several. Here are some of the most common ones we see in Northeast Ohio homes:
Even brand-new homes can have poor indoor air because of fresh paint, new carpet, or building materials that release gases called VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
You don’t have to guess. There are a few ways to find out what’s really going on with your air.
You can buy indoor air quality test kits online or at hardware stores. These test for things like dust, mold, and carbon monoxide.
While they can give you a general idea, they aren’t as accurate as professional testing.
Some modern devices track air quality in real time, measuring particles, humidity, and gases. They connect to your phone so you can see how your air changes throughout the day.
The most reliable option is to have a certified HVAC technician or indoor air specialist test your air.
At B Rico Mechanical, we can inspect your HVAC system, test your air, and recommend solutions to make your home healthier and more comfortable.
Once you know your air quality isn’t great, the good news is that there are simple ways to fix it.
Replace your furnace filter every 1 to 3 months, depending on your system and lifestyle. This helps your HVAC system trap dust, pollen, and debris before it circulates through your home.
Having your system cleaned and inspected once a year keeps everything running smoothly. Technicians can clean internal parts, check airflow, and make sure your home’s ventilation is working correctly.
Whole-home air purifiers can capture fine particles and even remove bacteria and odors. These can be installed directly into your HVAC system for maximum coverage.
Use a humidifier in the winter when air is dry and a dehumidifier in the summer when it’s humid. This helps prevent mold, mildew, and dry skin.
Make sure furniture or curtains aren’t blocking your vents, and consider professional duct cleaning every few years to remove built-up dust.
Open windows when weather allows, especially after cleaning or painting. Even a few minutes of fresh air can help clear out stale air.
Avoid harsh sprays or candles that release chemicals. Choose natural cleaners or unscented products when possible.
If you live in Northeast Ohio, winter can make air quality worse because homes are sealed up to keep warm air in and cold air out.
That means dust, smoke, and other particles get trapped inside with nowhere to go. Heating systems also dry out the air, which can cause more irritation.
Running your furnace with a dirty filter only makes things worse, since it recirculates all that trapped dust and debris.
That’s why it’s important to have your furnace serviced in the fall and to use a clean, high-quality filter throughout the winter months.
When your home’s air is clean, you can feel the difference right away.
Clean air keeps both your home and your family healthier.
So, how can you tell if your indoor air quality is bad?
Watch for signs like dust buildup, musty smells, dry air, headaches, or allergy symptoms that get worse indoors. These are clear clues your air could use some help.
The good news is that improving indoor air quality doesn’t have to be complicated. Regular maintenance, clean filters, and a few smart upgrades can make your home’s air fresher and healthier all year long.
If you’re worried about your indoor air or notice any of the signs we talked about, don’t wait to take action.
At B Rico Mechanical, we help homeowners across Northeast Ohio breathe easier with professional air quality testing, HVAC maintenance, and whole-home air purification solutions.
📞 Call B Rico Mechanical today to schedule your indoor air quality inspection or tune-up. Our friendly, local experts will help you find what’s affecting your air and fix it fast so your family can breathe clean, healthy air again.
Your comfort starts here.
