“How would I even know if my air is a problem?”
Why measure at all
Indoor air complaints are usually described in symptoms — a stuffy room, a smell after cleaning, headaches in a finished basement, dust that returns two days after dusting. Symptoms do not tell you which of several very different problems you have, and the fixes for those problems are not interchangeable.
A test replaces the guess with seven numbers.
The seven readings
- Particulates (PM2.5) — fine airborne particles small enough to reach deep into the lungs: dust, smoke, pollen fragments, cooking residue
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — gases from paint, adhesives, new furnishings, flooring and cleaning products
- Formaldehyde — a specific VOC common in engineered wood and cabinetry, measured separately because it off-gasses for a long time after a remodel
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) — a proxy for ventilation; a room that feels stuffy usually is, and CO2 is how you prove it
- Carbon monoxide (CO) — a safety measurement, not a comfort one
- Temperature — the obvious one, and the one people assume is the whole story
- Humidity — the reason a correct temperature can still feel wrong
What the readings change
The readings point at different work. High particulates point at filtration. High VOCs or formaldehyde point at source control and ventilation. High CO2 points at ventilation alone. Humidity out of range points at humidification or dehumidification. Buying an air purifier because the house feels stuffy solves none of those except by accident.
The two tests
A 30-minute test is free at a cleaning appointment and gives you a snapshot. A 48-hour test is available for an additional charge and includes a written report and recommendations — call for the current price.
The longer test exists because indoor air is not constant. Cooking, showering, an attached garage, and a furnace cycling all move the numbers, and a two-day trace shows the pattern rather than one moment.