How poor is your indoor air quality? Experts reveal four ways to improve it – and the signs it could be harming your health

Did you know that, on average, people spend 80 to 90% of their lives indoors? That’s why having good air quality at home is so important – especially since it has a direct impact on your health.

It’s common knowledge that you shouldn’t smoke inside and that installing a carbon monoxide alarm is best practice, but there are plenty of other ways you can help improve the air quality in your home, like upgrading your insulation and investing in an air purifier.

To find out what they are – and how to tell if your air quality is poor – we spoke with ventilation experts to hear their advice on what you can do about it.

How to improve indoor air quality

1. Install sufficient ventilation

To lower the risk of respiratory problems, you’ll need to ensure your home is properly ventilated, according to Simon Redfearn, Managing Director of Redfearn Experts.

By combining the methods below, you’ll help remove pollutants (such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide) and reduce moisture build-up that can cause dust mites and mould growth.

• Open windows for purge ventilation
• Use extraction fans in wet rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms
• Use trickle vents in windows for constant background airflow

2. Improve insulation in your home

To maintain a steady, controlled temperature (which will help prevent cold spots, damp and subsequent mould), make sure your home is sufficiently insulated. Here are some methods that Simon Redfearn recommends:

• Airtightness measures: "While making a home 'airtight' with better insulation can improve energy efficiency, it requires modern ventilation systems – such as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). This ensures air is still replaced, preventing air quality from degrading."
• Double/triple glazing: When paired with trickle vents, double or triple glazing can help prevent condensation, reduce draughts, and support controlled ventilation.
• Cavity wall and loft insulation: Cavity wall and loft insulation can also reduce cold spots on walls and prevent condensation – as long as there is proper ventilation.

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3. Invest in an air purifier and dehumidifier

Air purifiers are an easy way to clean the air in your home by removing unwanted particles. When “dirty” air is sucked in through the fan, it passes over a filter that neutralises contaminants before releasing sanitised air back into the environment.

"A unit fitted with a true HEPA filter captures fine particles such as pollen, dust, pet dander and mould spores. Air purifiers are built to circulate and filter the air continuously, often achieving multiple air changes per hour in a room," says Chris Michael, co-founder of Meaco.

Most models also come with air quality sensors and a display, so you can monitor your home and keep track of particulate levels, he explains.

If your home has high humidity levels, it may also be worth investing in a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture caused by daily activities such as showering and cooking. You can also buy one with a built-in air purifier.

Chris explains that while they won’t clean the air, the best dehumidifiers can improve the overall environment by preventing mould growth and dust mite activity. However, dehumidifiers can have a negative effect if mould is already present, as they may circulate airborne spores.

Chris Michaeal

Chris has been advising on humidity solutions and dehumidifiers since 1991 and is well known within the dehumidifier industry across the world as a lead on innovation and sustainability.

4. Follow air quality best practices

Here are some other indoor air quality guidelines, recommended by the NHS:

• Don't smoke or vape inside your home
• Use gentle, fragrance-free cleaning products
• Avoid plug-in fragrances
• Choose low VOC paints and varnishes when decorating
• Keep indoor burning to a minimum, including coal fires, candles and log burners
• Ventilate your home while cooking and cleaning
• Fit your home with a carbon monoxide leak alarm
• Ensure new appliances have proper ventilation
• Regularly service your heaters, cookers and boilers 
• Vacuum regularly (even better if it has a HEPA filter)
• If you live near a busy road, shut your windows during rush hour
• Test for radon in your home

Signs of poor air quality

If you're concerned about poor air quality in your home, Simon Redfearn says to look out for the following signs:

• Regular headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, or worsening asthma
• Persistent condensation on windows, damp patches on walls, or visible mould growth in corners or behind furniture
• Lingering smells from cooking, cleaning products, or a general 'stale' feeling in the air
• Moisture levels consistently above 60%

Indoor air pollution can cause short-term respiratory symptoms and long-term lung, heart, and blood vessel problems, so it’s worth making these small but important changes in your home.

If you found this helpful, you may also want to learn what damp smells like and whether air purifiers help with mould.