Indoor Air Quality Guide for Homeowners

By Anne Fonda

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 90% of their time indoors, with at least half of that spent at home. That means ensuring your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) is the best it can be is vital to your health and that of your family.  

This is especially true if you, one of your children, or another household member has allergies, asthma, or another respiratory health issue. Improving your indoor air quality can have many benefits, including: 

  • Enhanced comfort 
  • Reduced allergy symptoms 
  • Reduced asthma symptoms 
  • Protecting your home from damage 

We’ve pulled together some IAQ resources to help you learn about your home’s air quality, from how to monitor it to how various whole-home solutions can reduce any issues you might be experiencing. 

General IAQ resources 

First, learn a little more about indoor air quality and why it matters. Then, learn how an inexpensive air quality monitor can help you take control of the air you breathe. 

“Homeowners often overlook how crucial indoor air quality is to their family's health and comfort. With the Awair Element integrated into their Trane HVAC system and Trane smart thermostat, they gain real-time insights into temperature, humidity, and pollutants. This smart device empowers them to maintain a healthier living environment, providing peace of mind and optimal comfort. They can breathe easier knowing their indoor air quality is continuously monitored and managed." 

- David Lothe, Communications and Accessories Product Manager 

Filter resources 

Your home’s HVAC system uses an air filter to filter out tiny particles and contaminants from the air. This can help keep dirt and debris out of your HVAC system and capture pollutants before they circulate throughout your home. 

Check out the articles below for tips on how to choose the right filter for your system and your needs, along with how to change the filter and how often to change it. 

What the experts say 

 “Pleated fiberglass filters are the most common filter type for residential HVAC. The accordion-style construction for the filter media increases surface area and filtration performance. Not only can it trap more particles than a traditional fiberglass filter, but it can also trap smaller particles.”  

- Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality  

Performance ratings can vary, from basic (typically MERV 8-10) to high-efficiency particulate capture (typically MERV 11-13), which is best suited for allergy and asthma sufferers. 

Humidity control resources 

High humidity and low humidity can both cause comfort problems, health issues, and damage to your home. According to the EPA, the best indoor humidity is between 30% and 50%.  

Explore these articles to learn more about humidity and some whole-house solutions to keep your humidity in the ideal range for comfort and safety. 

Ventilation resources 

Ventilation is what the V in HVAC is all about. You might have poor ventilation if cooking smells and pet smells linger in your home, if the air feels stale, or if you have other air quality issues.  Learn more about ventilation and what you can do to improve it. 

Air purification resources 

While standard HVAC air filters can capture particles of a certain size, a whole-house air cleaner or air purification system goes above and beyond to improve your indoor air quality. If you or a loved one has asthma, allergies, or suffers from another respiratory condition, a whole-house air purifier can help clear the air. 

Consider it an investment in your health.  

What the experts say 

“The right whole-home air cleaner can remove up to 99.98% of pollutants in the air and trap particles down to .3 microns in size, including smoke, cooking smoke, and any bacteria floating around. While these filters have the highest price tag, they also have the biggest impact on improving allergy symptoms.”  

- Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality  

Anne Fonda

Content Writer, Trane Technologies

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

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