Improving Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a big impact on how you feel at home every day. In a place like Durham and the surrounding Triangle area, you’re dealing with year-round humidity, seasonal pollen, and tightly sealed homes that can trap dust and contaminants inside. Over time, poor IAQ can contribute to allergy flare-ups, respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue, and general discomfort for everyone in the house.

The good news: a few smart habits and the right whole-home solutions can make a noticeable difference in how you breathe and sleep. Lee Air Conditioning will help you breathe easy with our targeted indoor air quality services.

Common Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality

If you’re not sure whether IAQ is a problem in your home, start by looking for these red flags.

1. Health symptoms that seem worse at home

Pay attention to how you feel after spending time indoors. Signs of poor IAQ often include:

• Sneezing, coughing, or congestion

• Watery or irritated eyes

• Headaches, dizziness, or fatigue

• More frequent allergy or asthma flare-ups

If these symptoms ease when you leave home and return when you walk back in, your air quality may be part of the problem.

2. Dust buildup around vents and surfaces

Excessive dust on supply vents, return grilles, and horizontal surfaces is another warning sign. It can mean your filter isn’t capturing fine particles effectively or that your system is circulating dust, pet dander, and other debris through your home.

3. Hot and cold spots from room to room

If some rooms are always stuffy while others feel drafty or chilly, your HVAC system may not be distributing air evenly. Poor airflow and uneven temperatures can lead to stagnant areas where pollutants build up.

4. Humidity and odor issues

In our humid climate, moisture problems are extremely common. Air that’s too damp encourages mold, mildew, and musty odors, while air that’s too dry can cause dry skin, irritated sinuses, and static shocks. Ideally, your home’s humidity should stay in the 40–60% range year-round.

If you’re noticing persistent smells, visible mold, or condensation on windows, it’s time to take a closer look at your IAQ.

How Better IAQ Benefits Your Home and Family

Improving indoor air quality isn’t just about comfort—it comes with real, everyday benefits.

1. Greater comfort day and night

Cleaner indoor air can ease allergy and asthma symptoms, reduce throat and sinus irritation, and make it easier to relax at home. When you’re not constantly battling dust, dander, and pollen, your home simply feels more comfortable.

2. Better sleep

Poor IAQ can lead to congestion, coughing, and nighttime irritation that interrupt your rest. Reducing airborne pollutants and maintaining healthy humidity levels can support deeper, more consistent sleep for everyone in the house.

3. A cleaner, fresher-smelling home

Odors from cooking, pets, smoke, and moisture can linger in a closed-up home. Upgraded filters, whole-home air cleaners, and ventilation equipment help remove odor-causing particles instead of just masking them with sprays or candles.

4. Improved HVAC efficiency and fewer breakdowns

Dirty air doesn’t just affect your health—it affects your equipment. When filters clog quickly and dust collects on the indoor coil, your HVAC system has to work harder to move air, which can drive up energy bills and wear out components faster. Cleaning up your air and using the right IAQ solutions can support smoother, more efficient operation.

Everyday Habits That Help Your Indoor Air

Start with simple steps you can take on your own. These basics will make any IAQ upgrades you invest in work even better.

Keep dust and allergens under control

• Dust and vacuum regularly, focusing on vents, registers, and high-traffic areas.

• Use a vacuum with a HEPA-type filter to capture finer particles instead of sending them back into the air.

• Wash bedding, curtains, and throw blankets often—especially if you have pets.

Use ventilation wisely

• Run exhaust fans when cooking and showering to remove moisture and odors at the source.

• When the weather and outdoor air quality cooperate, open windows for a short time to let in fresh air and reduce stuffiness.

• Avoid blocking supply and return vents with furniture or rugs.

Be mindful of what you bring into the air

• Choose low- or no-VOC paints, finishes, and cleaning products when possible.

• Avoid smoking indoors—tobacco smoke adds a heavy load of harmful chemicals to your home’s air.

Control Humidity Year-Round

Humidity is a major part of IAQ in the Durham area. In the summer, muggy air can lead to mold and mildew; in the winter, very dry air can be just as uncomfortable.

Some steps you can take:

• Use your air conditioner: A well-maintained cooling system naturally removes moisture while it runs.

• Consider a whole-home dehumidifier: These systems work with your existing HVAC to keep humidity in a healthier range throughout the house.

• Address moisture sources: Fix plumbing leaks promptly, use exhaust fans in bathrooms and laundry rooms, and avoid drying clothes indoors without proper ventilation.

• Add humidity in winter if needed: If you notice dry skin, nosebleeds, or static shocks in colder months, a whole-home humidifier or well-placed room humidifiers can restore balance.

Upgrade Your Air Filtration

Your HVAC filter is your first line of defense against dust, pollen, pet dander, and other particles moving through your system.

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for how often to change your filter—many homes in our region need a fresh filter every 1–3 months.

• Talk with a professional about choosing a filter with the right MERV rating for your system so you capture more particles without restricting airflow.

• If you have pets, allergies, or live near busy roads, you may benefit from higher-efficiency filtration or a dedicated whole-home air cleaner.

Whole-Home IAQ Solutions to Consider

Once you’ve tackled the basics, Lee Air Conditioning can help you choose the right equipment to take your home’s air quality to the next level.

Air purifiers and air cleaners

Whole-home air cleaners and purifiers work with your HVAC system to filter and capture finer particles than a standard filter can handle. They’re especially helpful if someone in your home has allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.

UV germicidal lights

UV lights installed inside your HVAC system target biological contaminants like certain bacteria, viruses, and mold on indoor coils and in the airstream. They help keep components cleaner and reduce the growth of microorganisms that impact both IAQ and system performance.

Ventilation and energy recovery systems

Mechanical ventilation systems, including energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), bring in a controlled amount of fresh outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air. The system transfers heat and humidity so you can enjoy fresh air without giving up efficiency or comfort—especially useful when opening windows isn’t practical.

Whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers

These IAQ add-ons work with your existing HVAC system to maintain healthier humidity levels in every room, not just the ones with portable units. They’re a great fit for homes dealing with chronic dampness, musty odors, or very dry winter air.

Which IAQ Upgrades Are Right for Your Triangle Home?

Every home is different, but here are a few guidelines:

• Families with allergies or asthma:
  Focus on high-quality filtration, whole-home air cleaners, and possibly UV lights to reduce airborne triggers.

• Homes with pets:
  Combine better filtration with more frequent filter changes and regular cleaning. A whole-home air cleaner can help control pet dander and odors.

• Older or tightly sealed homes:
  Mechanical ventilation or an ERV can help bring in fresh air without sacrificing efficiency.

• Homes with recurring humidity problems:
  A whole-home dehumidifier or humidifier, paired with proper HVAC maintenance, can stabilize humidity and protect both your health and your home.

A Lee Air technician can evaluate your home, discuss your family’s concerns, and recommend a custom combination of IAQ solutions instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.

How Lee Air Conditioning Helps You Breathe Easier

Lee Air Conditioning has been serving homeowners in Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Raleigh, and the surrounding communities for decades, helping families stay comfortable in every season.

When you schedule an indoor air quality visit, our team can:

• Inspect your HVAC system and filtration

• Check humidity levels and look for moisture or ventilation issues

• Recommend IAQ products that fit your home and budget

• Set up a maintenance plan to keep your equipment clean and efficient year-round

If you’re noticing dust, odors, or allergy symptoms in your home—or you simply want to create a healthier environment for your family—contact Lee Air Conditioning today to schedule an indoor air quality consultation. We’ll help you find the right combination of solutions so you can breathe easier and enjoy a cleaner, more comfortable home.