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Have you ever wondered what’s actually in the air you breathe at home every day? You're not alone. Many homeowners are becoming more aware of indoor air quality and how it impacts health and comfort. Maybe you’ve seen a colorful air quality monitor or heard about metrics like PM2.5 and VOCs, but it all feels a bit like a science lesson you missed.
The good news is, understanding your home's air quality doesn't have to be complicated. And improving it is easier than you think. Contrary to some myths, you don’t need an expensive, complex system. For most homes, a high-quality pleated air filter is one of the most effective tools for capturing pollutants. At Filterbuy, we specialize in American-made pleated filters that make a real difference.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) metrics are simply a way to measure and report the levels of common pollutants inside a building. Think of it like a weather report for the air inside your house. These measurements help you understand if the air is clean and healthy or if it contains harmful particles and gases.
An Indoor Air Quality Index (IAQI) often combines multiple metrics into a single score, usually color-coded for easy understanding. This score gives you a quick snapshot of your overall air quality.
Each metric has a recommended threshold for what is considered safe versus unhealthy. When a reading goes above a certain number, it’s a signal that you may need to improve ventilation or filtration. These numbers matter because poor indoor air quality can affect everything from your allergies and sleep quality to your long-term respiratory health.
Based on research from sources, here are the most important metrics for homeowners to monitor.
Particulate matter refers to tiny particles suspended in the air. PM10 particles (like dust, pollen, and mold spores) are small, but PM2.5 particles are even smaller and more dangerous. They come from sources like cooking smoke, vehicle exhaust, and wildfires. Because they are so fine, they can get deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream.
Filtering out particulate matter is crucial for good health. A high-quality pleated air filter with a MERV 8 to MERV 13 rating is designed to effectively capture these tiny particles, significantly reducing their concentration in your home.
CO₂ is a gas we exhale with every breath. Indoors, high CO₂ levels are a primary indicator of poor ventilation. When a room feels stuffy, it's often due to a buildup of carbon dioxide. Consistently high levels can lead to headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Keeping CO₂ levels in the ideal range means your home is getting enough fresh air.
VOCs are gases released from many common household products, including paints, cleaning supplies, new furniture, and air fresheners. That "new car smell" or fresh paint scent is often a sign of VOCs. High concentrations can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as more serious health issues over time. Reducing their buildup involves choosing low-VOC products and ensuring good ventilation.
Humidity isn't a pollutant, but it dramatically affects your home's comfort and health. The sweet spot for relative humidity is typically between 30% and 50%. Levels above 60% can encourage mold and mildew growth, while very low humidity can cause dry skin, irritated sinuses, and damage to wood furniture.
This one is a silent killer. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced by fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces. It is extremely dangerous, and every home with these appliances should have a dedicated CO detector. If your CO alarm ever goes off, leave your home immediately and call for professional help.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the ground, especially in certain geographic areas. It's the second leading cause of lung cancer. Since you can't see or smell it, the only way to know your home's radon level is to test for it.
Monitoring your indoor air is easier than ever. According to experts, home air quality monitors have become more accessible and accurate.
Home air quality monitors are devices that track key IAQ metrics in real-time. Most models measure PM2.5, VOCs, CO₂, humidity, and temperature. Many smart sensors connect to an app on your phone, so you can see your home air quality readings from anywhere and get alerts when levels are high.
For certain invisible threats, professional testing is the best option. This is especially true for:
Once you know what's in your air, you can take simple steps to improve it.
The easiest way to lower concentrations of indoor pollutants like CO₂ and VOCs is to bring in fresh air. Open windows when the weather permits, run exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms, and consider an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) for a whole-home solution.
Portable air purifiers with HEPA filters are great for targeting specific rooms, like a bedroom or home office. A HEPA filter is designed to capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Try to reduce pollutants at their source. Avoid smoking indoors, choose low-VOC or zero-VOC paints and furniture, and switch to natural cleaning products.
Your HVAC system's air filter is your first line of defense. Standard fiberglass filters do little more than protect your HVAC equipment. Pleated filters, however, have a much larger surface area to trap airborne particles.
For most homes, a MERV 8 to MERV 13 rating offers the perfect balance of excellent filtration and healthy airflow for your system. A higher-quality pleated filter from a trusted source like Filterbuy captures more PM2.5, dust, and allergens, helping to protect both your HVAC system and your family’s health.
Improving your home's IAQ starts with the right filter. Filterbuy makes it simple to get high-quality, American-made filters delivered right to your door.
Our MERV 8, MERV 11, and MERV 13 filters are designed to capture a high percentage of airborne particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, and PM2.5. By trapping these pollutants, you can reduce allergens and odors, leading to a noticeable improvement in your home's air quality readings over time.
The pleated design of our filters provides a larger surface area for better filtration without restricting airflow. When you choose the correct MERV rating for your system, our filters work efficiently without putting extra strain on your HVAC equipment.
Finding the right air filter size can be a hassle. We offer hundreds of standard and custom sizes to fit any system. With our convenient subscription service, you’ll never forget to change your filter again.
Understanding your indoor air quality metrics is the first step toward creating a healthier home environment. By monitoring key pollutants and taking simple steps like improving ventilation and upgrading your air filter, you can make a big impact.
Ready to improve your home’s IAQ? Start with the filter that protects your HVAC system and your health. Order a new pleated filter from Filterbuy today.
The most critical IAQ metrics for homeowners are Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), as these have the biggest impact on daily health and comfort.
An indoor air quality monitor is the easiest way to test your air. These devices track multiple metrics in real-time and display the results on a screen or smartphone app, helping you understand your home air quality readings at a glance.
Ideally, your indoor PM2.5 level should be as low as possible, typically under 12 µg/m³. Consistently higher levels indicate a need for better ventilation or filtration.
High indoor CO₂ levels can cause headaches, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. They are a strong sign that your home isn’t getting enough fresh air.
VOCs are released by cleaning products, paints, new furniture, and air fresheners. You can reduce them by choosing low-VOC products, ensuring good ventilation when using these items, and using an air purifier.
Yes, pleated filters are highly effective. Their increased surface area allows them to capture more particles like dust, pollen, and PM2.5 than flat fiberglass filters, significantly improving indoor air quality.
A MERV rating between 8 and 13 is ideal for most residential homes. This range offers a great balance of high-efficiency filtration and sufficient airflow for your HVAC system.
For most 1-inch pleated filters, it’s recommended to replace them every 1 to 3 months. Regular replacement ensures your filter continues to work effectively and doesn't restrict airflow.
While plants can remove some VOCs from the air, you would need a very large number of them to make a significant impact. They are a nice addition but shouldn't be your primary strategy for air purification.
Absolutely. Upgrading to a high-quality pleated filter, like a Filterbuy MERV 11 or MERV 13, can directly lower the PM2.5 levels shown on your air quality monitor, providing clear evidence of cleaner air.
