Top Indoor Air Quality Options to Breathe Cleaner, Healthier Air at Home

You wake up with itchy eyes, your nose won’t stop running, and there’s a strange smell lingering in the air. Maybe it’s pollen season—or worse, smoke from a nearby wildfire. You shut the windows, run the AC, but still don’t feel better. That’s when you realize: your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) might be the problem.

At The Furnace Outlet, we know good air is as essential as a sound HVAC system. This guide walks you through the most effective indoor air quality options, no fluff, just the facts and expert-backed solutions you can actually use.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters More Than Ever

Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air, especially when you’re sealing up your home for temperature control. Everyday sources like cleaning sprays, pet dander, mold, or even furniture off-gassing can build up without proper filtration or ventilation.

And if you or your loved ones have allergies, asthma, or live in wildfire-prone areas? Poor IAQ isn’t just annoying—it’s a real health risk.

“We breathe about 15,000 liters of air a day. If the air inside your home is full of irritants, it affects sleep, energy, and respiratory health.”

That’s why optimizing indoor air is one of the smartest long-term HVAC upgrades you can make.

The Gold Standard: HEPA Filters for Allergies and Smoke

If you suffer from allergies or live in a region with high levels of pollution, start here. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters trap 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. That includes:

• Pollen

• Mold spores

• Pet dander

• Dust mites

• PM2.5 wildfire smoke particles

Best Uses:

• Standalone HEPA air purifiers for bedrooms or living rooms

• Central HVAC add-ons with high-MERV filters (13+ if your system can handle it)

Need help choosing a compatible filter or system? Contact our licensed HVAC pros for honest, no-pressure guidance.

Upgrading Your HVAC Filters: Go MERV 13 or Higher

Your HVAC system already moves air—why not make it clean air?

MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) filters range from 1–16. MERV 13+ filters can trap:

• Bacteria

• Smoke

• Fine dust

• Pet allergens

Before switching, check your system’s specs—some older units may need fan or duct upgrades for higher MERV ratings.

Explore high-efficiency options at The Furnace Outlet’s filter-ready systems.

Fighting Wildfire Smoke Indoors: Seal, Filter, Repeat

During wildfire season, even homes far from the flames can suffer poor air quality. Here’s what works:

• Seal up windows, doors, and vents using weatherstripping

• Run HEPA purifiers in key rooms.

• Avoid pulling outside air in (don’t use swamp coolers or exhaust fans)

• Upgrade central filters to MERV 13+

Emergency DIY Hack:

Tape a high-MERV filter to the intake side of a box fan for a temporary smoke scrubber.

Pair this approach with our room-ready ACs, which circulate air without drawing smoke from outside.

Controlling Humidity: Your Mold and Dust Mite Shield

Too much moisture fuels the growth of mold and dust mites. Too little dries out the sinuses. Aim for a sweet spot: 30–50% relative humidity.

To Manage It:

• Use dehumidifiers in basements or damp zones

• Keep HVAC systems tuned (dirty coils can drip or stagnate)

• Don’t forget bathroom/kitchen exhaust fans.

Many mini-split systems now offer built-in dehumidification—saving space and energy.

Smart Cleaning Habits That Actually Help

Daily habits matter. These tips go a long way:

• Vacuum weekly using a HEPA-filtered vacuum

• Dust with damp or microfiber cloths

• Wash bedding in hot water weekly

• Remove rugs or carpets if allergies are severe

Even a sound HVAC system can’t fix what you constantly reintroduce.

Source Control: Stop Pollutants Before They Start

Sometimes the best filter is no pollution at all. Cut down on:

• Candles, incense, or fireplaces

• Harsh cleaning chemicals (go unscented and low-VOC)

• Old carpeting or foam furniture that emits formaldehyde

• Indoor smoking or unvented gas appliances

Add a radon test to your next home checkup—especially in basements.

Need a cost-conscious HVAC update to reduce airborne VOCs? Check budget-friendly upgrades with direct-to-home savings.

Ventilation: Bring In Fresh Air the Right Way

Opening a window is great—unless it’s wildfire season or allergy peak. Here’s what helps:

• Install ERVs/HRVs (Energy/Heat Recovery Ventilators) to exchange stale air without losing heating/cooling

• Use bath/kitchen exhaust fans consistently

• Crack a window on clean-air days while monitoring pollen and smoke levels

In airtight homes, mechanical ventilation is a must-have for healthy IAQ.

Our ductless mini-splits pair well with ERV add-ons for controlling fresh air in zoned spaces.

Activated Carbon Filters: For Gases, Smells, and VOCs

HEPA doesn’t catch everything. For gaseous pollutants like:

• Smoke odors

• Chemical fumes

• Paint or cleaner VOCs

Use a filter that includes activated carbon or other molecular media.

Look for combo units that combine both HEPA and carbon filtration for the best results during wildfire smoke events or renovations.

These are ideal complements to systems like our R32 PTAC units, especially in hotels, apartments, or in-law suites.

Air Quality Monitors: Know When It’s Working

You can’t fix what you don’t measure. Air quality monitors track:

• PM2.5 (fine particles)

• VOCs

• Humidity

• CO2

Use them to validate filter changes or spot issues early. Many smart monitors now link with smart thermostats for automation.

Pair IAQ data with smart-ready systems that adapt airflow or trigger alerts when conditions dip.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

 Using ozone-generating air purifiers

These can irritate the lungs and worsen asthma.

 Skipping filter changes

Dirty filters = dirty air + poor efficiency.

 Relying on plants alone

While they look nice, plants remove negligible pollutants.

Keep your system safe and efficient with guidance from our Help Center.

Building an IAQ Plan That Works for You

Improving your home’s indoor air quality isn’t about one big purchase. It’s a layered strategy that grows with your needs and budget:

Need help customizing a solution? Our licensed technicians can help you match your IAQ goals with the right HVAC equipment.