5 New Home Upgrades for Better Indoor Air Quality

New home? Make these short-term improvements for long-term benefits.

Whether it’s your first or fourth time, becoming a homeowner is exciting — but it often comes with a laundry list of improvements and repairs. As you plan for and prioritize projects in your new home, don’t overlook the quality of the indoor air you breathe every day.

Your home inspection will help you identify any major indoor air quality issues to take care of first, such as radon mitigation or mold removal. Beyond that, here are five new home upgrades to help boost the indoor air quality in your new home.

1. Swap gas for electric.

Planning to upgrade your stove, water heater or furnace? Choose electric appliances if you can. Gas-powered appliances can expose you and your family to pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.¹

If you stick with gas appliances, make sure you have good ventilation and working carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Get older units serviced to confirm they’re working safely.

2. Replace carpets with hard-surfaced flooring.

Even with frequent vacuuming, carpet fibers collect allergens, dust, pet dander, mold spores and other unwanted particles. Some carpets and carpet pads are also made with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can release chemicals and odors.² If you can make the switch to hard-surface flooring like hardwood, tile or vinyl plank flooring, it will be easier to clean contaminants from your home’s air, especially if you have pets running around.

3. Upgrade your HVAC air filters.

The filters in your HVAC system trap dust, allergens and other airborne debris from the air passing through the filter. Consider upgrading your standard filter to a more advanced option for cleaner air. Filtrete™ Filters use MPR ratings to measure performance: The higher a filter’s MPR, the more effective it is at removing all those tiny pollutants from your home.

Dirty filters don’t do their job well, so changing your filters at least every three months for 1” filters (yearly for 4”, 5” or 6” deep pleat filters) can help make sure you’re breathing cleaner air. Filtrete™ Smart Air Filters use filters enabled with BluetoothⓇ sensors to monitor airflow and keep tabs on your system. With the Filtrete™ Smart App, you’ll get reminders sent straight to your smartphone when it’s time for a replacement. Easy!

4. Improve insulation.

Nobody wants drafty doors or leaky windows. Good insulation helps prevent indoor air from escaping and outdoor air from sneaking in — meaning better temperature control, energy savings and air quality in your home.

Review your home inspection report to see where you may have insulation issues, which tend to pop up in attics and basements or near windows and doors. Then, take these steps to air-seal any problem areas:
 

• Caulk, fill or seal holes, cracks and gaps
• Upgrade old exterior doors
• Replace single-pane windows with double-pane
• Add insulation to unfinished attics and basements

5. Install exhaust fans.

Moisture and contaminated air tend to build up in kitchens and bathrooms, especially when they aren’t equipped with proper ventilation. Protect your investment by installing exhaust fans in these areas to help prevent mold growth and keep the air smelling fresher. Set these up to vent directly outside, not just into the attic or another part of the house.

Sources

1. “Sources of Combustion Products.” EPA. 2023.
2. “Carpets and Rugs.” American Lung Association. 2023.