Preventing Indoor Air Pollution in Your Home

Indoor air quality plays a major role in your family’s health, comfort, and overall well-being. While most homeowners are aware of outdoor pollution, many don’t realize that the air inside their homes can often be more contaminated. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air due to sources like cleaning products, building materials, poor ventilation, and even sunlight.

At Demers Glass, we’ve been helping Arizona families create more comfortable, energy-efficient, and healthier homes since 1977. This guide offers expert advice on how to identify and prevent indoor air pollution while making strategic upgrades to your windows, glass, and ventilation systems. We’ll cover proven solutions for improving air quality and link to related resources throughout.

Poor air quality has been linked to:

• Respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis
• Allergic reactions and chronic sinus issues
• Headaches and fatigue
• Long-term exposure risks, including heart disease and even cancer

Children, seniors, and those with pre-existing health conditions are especially vulnerable. If your home smells musty, has condensation on windows, or you're frequently dusting, these may be signs that indoor air pollution is affecting your living space.

Fortunately, there are several practical ways to take control of your home’s air quality.

A well-ventilated home helps remove stale, polluted air and replaces it with clean outdoor air. This basic principle is one of the most effective tools for preventing indoor pollution.

Natural Ventilation

Opening windows and doors when weather permits can do wonders. Cross-ventilation opening windows on opposite sides of a room, encourages airflow that flushes out pollutants.

However, in hot climates like Arizona, this may not always be practical. Dust storms, pollen levels, or extreme temperatures can make opening windows undesirable. That’s where window upgrades come in.

Consider energy-efficient window replacements that offer better sealing and optional ventilation features. Products with advanced thermal performance also prevent heat buildup, helping your HVAC system work more efficiently.

Mechanical Ventilation

Installing exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms is essential for reducing humidity and removing airborne chemicals. Whole-house ventilation systems, such as HRVs (heat recovery ventilators) or ERVs (energy recovery ventilators), can provide consistent fresh air flow throughout your home without sacrificing energy efficiency.

Retractable solar-powered awnings are another great way to reduce indoor heat gain and improve air comfort without relying solely on mechanical systems.

Air purifiers are a smart investment, particularly for allergy sufferers, pet owners, or families living near busy roads or desert areas. Look for units equipped with HEPA filters, which can trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Whole-home systems offer the most comprehensive protection, especially when integrated into your HVAC system. Brands like ISO-Aire combine multi-stage filtration with UV-C light to eliminate pathogens, bacteria, and VOCs.

Adding an air purifier near high-traffic zones like living rooms or bedrooms provides targeted relief. If you’ve recently installed new furniture or repainted, it’s especially important to purify the air due to potential off-gassing from adhesives, plastics, and paints.

What you use to clean your home can significantly affect your indoor air. Many commercial cleaners contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, chlorine, and synthetic fragrances. These substances can release VOCs into the air, contributing to poor indoor air quality.

Instead, opt for:

• Fragrance-free or plant-based cleaners
• DIY mixtures using vinegar, baking soda, and lemon
• Microfiber cloths that clean without chemicals

If you must use stronger products occasionally, ensure the space is well-ventilated. Always store cleaners securely and away from air return vents to avoid circulation of fumes.

Want to learn more about managing odors and moisture naturally? Check out The Undeniable Benefits of Airing Out Your House.

Humidity control is often overlooked but plays a central role in keeping indoor air safe and breathable. Excess humidity fosters mold growth, dust mites, and even structural issues like warping wood or peeling paint.

Here are some tips:

• Keep indoor humidity between 30% and 50% using a dehumidifier
• Fix plumbing leaks promptly
• Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering
• Avoid overwatering indoor plants

Mold and mildew are more than unsightly, they’re airborne contaminants that aggravate asthma and allergies. Arizona's dry climate helps, but homes with poor sealing or bathroom ventilation can still face moisture problems.

When remodeling or building, consider tempered glass shower enclosures that resist mold and are easier to clean. Read our Guide to Choosing the Perfect Shower Enclosure for low-maintenance solutions.

Sunlight feels great, but UV exposure can lead to more than just faded furniture. It contributes to the breakdown of materials inside your home, releasing harmful gases a process known as off-gassing.

According to Hunter Douglas, these window coverings protect interior furnishings and significantly limit VOC emissions caused by heat.

Options include:

• Roller shades with UV protection
• Dual-layered blinds that reduce glare
• Insulated cellular shades for energy efficiency

As Bloomin’ Blinds highlights, these solutions work alongside your windows to reduce heat gain and pollutant release. For even better protection, consider pairing shades with residential window tinting or low-E glass that blocks UV rays at the source.

Outdated or damaged windows are a major culprit in poor indoor air quality. Cracks, failing seals, or inefficient frames can let dust, pollen, and outdoor pollutants leak into your home.

Upgrading to modern, insulated windows can:

• Improve energy efficiency
• Provide better soundproofing
• Keep indoor temperatures consistent
• Reduce particulate and pollen entry

Explore our guide to Whole-House Window Replacement to understand your options, or compare Pella vs Andersen Windows for high-performance upgrades.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems play a central role in indoor air circulation. A neglected HVAC unit can distribute dust, allergens, and even mold throughout your living space.

Best practices include:

• Replacing air filters every 1 to 3 months
• Scheduling professional duct cleanings annually
• Using pleated or HEPA-grade filters
• Adding UV germicidal lamps for added purification

Homes with fireplaces should also keep an eye on combustion efficiency and glass enclosure condition. Learn more in our Fireplace Glass Door Replacement Guide.

Bringing greenery into your home adds aesthetic charm and a natural air-cleaning benefit. Certain houseplants can filter toxins like formaldehyde and benzene while boosting oxygen levels.

Top choices include:

• Peace Lily
• English Ivy
• Aloe Vera
• Bamboo Palm
• Spider Plant

Be mindful of overwatering and potential mold in soil. Choose non-toxic varieties if you have pets or small children.

Screen doors offer a great way to let fresh air in while keeping bugs and debris out. Retractable screen doors are especially useful in Arizona climates where flexible airflow control is important.

If you're remodeling, thermally broken windows and storm doors can further reduce outdoor contamination.

To ensure your efforts are working, consider investing in an indoor air quality monitor. These devices measure:

• VOC levels
• Carbon dioxide and monoxide
• Humidity and temperature
• Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)

Armed with this information, you can adjust ventilation, filtration, or humidity controls as needed.

At Demers Glass, we know how important it is to feel confident in your home’s comfort, safety, and efficiency. Since 1977, we’ve helped thousands of Arizona homeowners reduce heat gain, improve energy efficiency, and create healthier indoor spaces through custom glass and window solutions.

Whether you’re interested in energy-efficient window upgrades, UV-blocking tint, or retractable screens, we offer a wide range of services designed to improve your home inside and out.

Related Articles from Demers Glass:

• Everything You Need to Know About Energy-Efficient Windows
• Types of Windows: A New and Replacement Window Guide
• Sun Tunnel vs. Skylight: Which One Is Better for My Home?
• The Beauty of Floor-to-Ceiling Windows
• Everything You Need to Know About Shower Enclosures