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How to Protect the Air in Your Central Ohio Home
If you live in Columbus, Newark, Westerville, Lancaster, Pataskala, or anywhere else in Central Ohio, the air inside your home may be doing more harm than you realize. Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air, and most of us never think to check. This guide breaks down what indoor air quality really means, what threatens it in our region, and the practical steps you can take to protect your household.
Key Takeaways
We spend about 90% of our time indoors. That means the air circulating through your living room, bedroom, and basement matters far more than most homeowners realize. In Central Ohio, common pollutants like dust, pet dander, mold spores, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and radon can accumulate in tightly sealed homes, especially during our long heating seasons and humid summers.
- Poor indoor air quality can trigger allergies, asthma, headaches, fatigue, and long term health effects including lung and heart issues. Children, older adults, and anyone with respiratory problems face the greatest risk.
- Effective indoor air quality strategies include source control, ventilation, and air cleaning. Controlling humidity rounds out the approach.
- Key steps to improve indoor air quality start with identifying pollutant sources, boosting fresh air exchange, upgrading filtration, and maintaining your HVAC system on a regular schedule.
- Dor-Mar Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers IAQ testing, whole-home air cleaners, humidity control, and radon mitigation for homeowners across Central Ohio. Contact us to schedule service or request a free estimate.
What Is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Why It Matters in Central Ohio
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the condition of the air within buildings-specifically, the concentration of pollutants, the level of humidity, temperature comfort, and how well ventilation moves stale air out and fresh air in. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (disease control agencies at the federal level) both emphasize that because Americans spend roughly 90% of their time indoors, indoor air is one of the largest environmental factors affecting health.
Good IAQ means clean air with low levels of indoor pollutants, safe levels of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, comfortable relative humidity between about 30% and 50%, and adequate ventilation. IAQ affects the health and comfort of building occupants in homes just as much as in large commercial buildings.
Central Ohio homes face specific challenges. During our long heating season, windows and doors stay shut for months, trapping airborne contaminants inside. Older homes in Columbus, Newark, and Lancaster often have basements prone to dampness. Newer, tightly sealed construction in areas like Westerville and Pataskala can limit natural air exchange to well below one air change per hour-a pilot study in Columbus measured rates as low as 0.36 air changes per hour with windows and doors closed.
Here’s the tricky part: poor indoor air quality doesn’t always smell bad or look dirty. Many indoor air pollutants-radon, carbon monoxide, certain VOCs-are completely invisible and odorless.
Common Indoor Pollutants in Homes around Columbus, Newark & Westerville
Indoor air contains a mix of visible dust and microscopic airborne contaminants measured in microns, along with gases and chemical vapors you can’t see at all. Common sources of indoor air pollution include dust, mold, and smoke, but the full list is longer than most homeowners expect.
Here are the key categories of common pollutants found in Central Ohio homes:
- Biological contaminants: Dust mites, pet dander, pollen tracked in from outdoor air, mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and other allergens thrive in indoor environments-especially in homes with carpeting, pets, or moisture issues.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): These gases are emitted by building materials, paint, new carpeting, furniture, cleaning products, fragrances, and air fresheners. Volatile organic compounds can be emitted by cleaning products and paints at levels several times higher than outdoor levels, particularly after renovation.
- Combustion byproducts: Gas furnaces, water heaters, stoves, fireplaces, and attached garages produce carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter. Even low levels can affect respiratory health over time.
- Tobacco smoke and secondhand tobacco smoke: Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals harmful to health. Vaping aerosols, candles, and incense also release particulate matter and chemicals that linger on surfaces and in the air.
- Regional sources: Agricultural dust, outdoor air pollution from industrial activity, and wildfire smoke from distant fires can infiltrate homes through gaps, open doors, and HVAC intakes, worsening indoor air quality even when the source is miles away.
Sensitivity to indoor pollutants varies widely. People with asthma, allergies, or compromised immune systems often notice IAQ problems first, but these air contaminants affect everyone over time.
Health Symptoms and Warning Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Poor IAQ often shows up as “mysterious” health complaints that seem worse at home than at work, school, or on vacation. If symptoms fade when you leave the house and return when you come back, that pattern is a strong clue.
Common short-term symptoms include:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Stuffy or runny nose, coughing, sneezing
- Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue
- Worsening asthma or allergy symptoms
Long term exposure to indoor air pollution raises the stakes considerably. Chronic exposure is linked to respiratory problems, reduced lung function in children, heart disease, and heightened cancer risk from pollutants like radon, secondhand smoke, and certain VOCs. Poor IAQ can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases that develop gradually over years. In Ohio alone, CDC data shows approximately 369,000 adults and 172,000 children live with asthma, contributing to over 54,600 emergency department visits in a single year.
High-risk groups include children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with asthma, COPD, heart disease, or autoimmune conditions. Even single-family homes can develop conditions similar to “sick building syndrome” when ventilation and source control are neglected.
The reassuring news: most IAQ health problems can be improved with a combination of lifestyle changes and professional HVAC and indoor air quality solutions.
Specific Indoor Air Hazards: Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Radon & VOCs
Some of the most dangerous indoor air contaminants are colorless and odorless gases. Without detectors and professional testing, you’d never know they were there.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion in gas furnaces, water heaters, stoves, fireplaces, and vehicles idling in attached garages. Carbon monoxide exposure can lead to headaches and dizziness at low levels, and nausea, confusion, loss of consciousness, or death at high concentrations. A Cleveland incident measured CO at 500 ppm on upper floors of a home with a faulty furnace, hospitalizing four people. The WHO recommends indoor CO levels should not exceed 4 mg/m³ over 24 hours.
Every Central Ohio home with fuel-burning equipment should have up-to-date CO detectors on every level and near all sleeping areas. Annual furnace and water heater safety checks by a licensed professional are critical.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Carbon dioxide is a normal gas we exhale, but it builds up fast in poorly ventilated indoor spaces. Indoor CO2 levels above 1,000 ppm indicate inadequate ventilation and can cause drowsiness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Indoor air quality is crucial for cognitive function and productivity, making CO₂ a useful indicator of whether your home is getting enough fresh air. Ventilation should limit indoor CO2 to 1,000 ppm or less.
Radon
Radon is a radioactive gas that seeps from soil into basements and lower levels. It is a major cause of lung cancer, responsible for 3–14% of cases in the U.S., making it the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. The WHO recommends indoor radon levels below 100 Bq/m³. The EPA sets the action threshold at 4 pCi/L-and radon levels above 4 pCi/L require mitigation. In Franklin County (Columbus, Westerville, and surrounding areas), over 90% of tested homes have shown screening readings above that level. Testing for radon is important for maintaining indoor air quality, because it’s the only way to know your home’s radon levels.
VOCs and Chemical Fumes
Sources include paints, new flooring, cabinets, cleaning products, dry-cleaned clothes, and hobby or garage chemicals. Using air purifiers can reduce indoor VOC levels, but reducing the source is always the first step. Long-term exposure to certain VOCs is associated with eye and throat irritation, headaches, and increased cancer risk.
If your home has never been tested, consider scheduling CO and combustion safety checks along with radon testing and mitigation through Dor-Mar.
How We Test and Monitor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
While basic consumer air quality monitors are a helpful starting point, professional IAQ evaluations provide the detailed information needed to target solutions effectively. Real-time IAQ monitoring systems improve indoor air quality by catching problems early, but they don’t replace a hands-on inspection.
A professional IAQ visit from Dor-Mar may include:
- Reviewing health complaints and room-by-room comfort issues
- Checking visible signs of moisture and mold
- Inspecting HVAC systems and air filters
- Discussing home age, renovations, and building materials
Typical measurements cover temperature, humidity, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. In some cases, we also assess particulate matter, VOCs, and perform combustion appliance draft testing to make sure equipment vents safely. Air quality monitors can measure VOCs, dust, and CO levels, and mold growth can be detected by monitoring moisture levels in problem areas.
Data from IAQ assessments guides practical recommendations: improved filtration, sealing duct leaks, adjusting ventilation, addressing combustion safety, or suggesting further testing for radon, mold, or asbestos when appropriate.
Consumer-grade IAQ sensors and smart thermostats that track humidity, CO₂, and particulates serve as an ongoing early warning system-useful for air quality monitoring between professional visits. Dor-Mar can combine IAQ testing with routine HVAC maintenance to minimize cost and maximize convenience.
Practical Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Home
Improving IAQ usually takes several small, practical steps rather than one big fix. Many are habits you can start today.
Source control comes first. Don’t smoke indoors-avoiding indoor smoking helps prevent toxic buildup of thousands of harmful chemicals. Limit candles and incense. Store paints and solvents in the garage or shed. Using low-VOC products can help minimize indoor air pollution during remodeling projects, and choosing low-VOC building materials makes a measurable difference.
Ventilation is next. Use kitchen exhaust fans while cooking, bathroom fans during and after showers, and open windows on mild days when outdoor air quality is good. Opening windows during good outdoor air quality helps improve IAQ by flushing out stale indoor air. A weatherization study found that homes meeting modern ventilation standards had nearly double the airflow (79 cfm vs. 39 cfm) and significantly lower levels of VOCs, formaldehyde, and CO₂. Ventilating your home during winter months requires a more strategic approach, but it’s still achievable.
Filtration and cleaning round out the plan. Use high-quality HVAC air filters (MERV 8–13, as compatible with your system) and change them on schedule. Air purifiers with True HEPA filters are effective for improving IAQ in individual rooms. Regular cleaning reduces dust and allergens in indoor environments-vacuum carpets and upholstery frequently with a HEPA vacuum.
Humidity control matters year-round. Maintaining relative humidity between 30% and 50% can improve IAQ and discourage biological growth. Mold grows when moisture levels exceed 60% humidity-a common problem in Central Ohio basements. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas and consider whole-home humidity control solutions.
Switch to fragrance-free or low-VOC cleaners. Fix water leaks promptly. Wash bedding and area rugs in hot water regularly to cut down on allergens.
Dor-Mar technicians can help you prioritize the most cost-effective steps based on your home’s layout, age, and specific IAQ concerns.
HVAC & Indoor Air Quality Solutions from Dor-Mar
HVAC systems are central to IAQ because they circulate, filter, and condition indoor air all year long. Regular HVAC maintenance improves indoor air quality by keeping equipment running cleanly and efficiently.
Whole-home air cleaners and filters: Options include high-efficiency media filters, electronic air cleaners, and add-on filtration that captures fine dust, pollen, pet dander, and other common pollutants far better than a standard one-inch filter. Using air purifiers can reduce indoor VOC levels when paired with proper ventilation.
UV lights and air purifiers: Properly installed UV-C systems inside the HVAC unit reduce microbial growth on coils and help cut bacteria and mold within the system, supporting cleaner air throughout the home.
Ventilation upgrades: Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and similar systems bring in fresh outdoor air while limiting energy loss. These are especially useful in newer, tighter homes around Columbus, Westerville, and Pataskala where the building envelope is sealed well enough to restrict natural air exchange.
Humidity management: Whole-home humidifiers address dry winter air during Central Ohio’s heating season, while whole-home dehumidifiers manage sticky summer humidity and reduce mold risk in basements and crawlspaces. Mold can grow in homes with humidity levels above 60%, so active management is essential.
Smart thermostats and IAQ controls: Modern thermostats can integrate with IAQ devices, automatically running the fan, adjusting ventilation, or alerting homeowners to filter changes or humidity issues.
Dor-Mar provides free estimates on IAQ equipment upgrades and can combine installations with new furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump projects for cost and efficiency benefits.
Special Concerns in Central Ohio Homes: Basements, Flooding & Building Materials
Central Ohio’s housing stock-often featuring basements, older building materials, and seasonal rains-creates some specific IAQ challenges worth addressing.
Basements and moisture: Unfinished or partially finished basements in Columbus, Newark, Lancaster, and nearby communities commonly develop dampness, musty odors, and visible mold on wood, drywall, or stored items when humidity stays high. Mold can grow indoors if moisture exceeds 60%, and in Central Ohio basements that threshold is crossed more often than most homeowners realize.
Flooding and leaks: Even minor foundation seepage, sump pump failures, or plumbing leaks can trigger mold growth within 24–48 hours if materials stay wet, degrading indoor air throughout the home.
Older building materials: Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint or asbestos-containing products such as floor tiles or pipe insulation. These materials should be handled by qualified professionals during renovations-disturbing them improperly releases hazardous particles into indoor spaces.
Newer building materials: Fresh flooring, cabinets, and composite wood products can off-gas VOCs for weeks or months. Air out new installations by increasing ventilation, and choose low-VOC options when possible.
If you notice persistent musty smells, visible mold, or lingering chemical odors, contact Dor-Mar or another qualified professional. Solutions may include dehumidification, improved ventilation, filtration, and in some cases referral to specialized remediation contractors.
Key Steps for Business Owners and Light Commercial Spaces
Dor-Mar also serves light commercial customers-small offices, retail shops, clinics, and similar indoor spaces across Central Ohio-where indoor air quality directly affects employee well being, productivity, and customer experience. Indoor air quality is crucial for cognitive function and productivity, making it a business concern as much as a comfort issue.
Watch for these warning signs: frequent employee complaints of headaches or fatigue, musty odors, visible dust on diffusers, or hot and cold spots indicating airflow problems.
Key steps for improving IAQ in small commercial buildings include:
- Maintaining HVAC systems with regular filter changes
- Verifying that outside air dampers and ventilation settings meet code and occupancy needs
- Addressing blocked vents or returns
- Upgrading to commercial-grade filtration, UV lights, or targeted dehumidification
- Installing smart controls or building automation that adjusts ventilation based on CO₂ levels and occupancy
Central Ohio’s seasonal swings-cold winters and humid summers-make consistent IAQ management a year-round priority for any room where building occupants spend significant time indoors.
Business owners in Columbus, Westerville, Newark, Lancaster, and Pataskala can schedule an IAQ and HVAC assessment with Dor-Mar to identify cost-effective improvements and ongoing maintenance plans.
Dor-Mar Services, Home Comfort Membership & When to Call a Professional
Dor-Mar Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing has served Central Ohio since 1962, offering heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, appliance repair, water treatment, radon mitigation, and indoor air quality solutions under one roof.
Call a licensed professional rather than attempting DIY fixes when you experience:
- Carbon monoxide alarm activation or strong fuel/burning odors
- Persistent musty smells or visible mold larger than a small patch
- Water damage or recurring moisture problems
- Repeated respiratory symptoms among household members
- Suspected radon issues or untested basement exposure
Dor-Mar offers furnace, boiler, and AC tune-ups that include safety checks, combustion analysis where appropriate, and review of filters and airflow-all of which support better indoor air quality and reduce the risk of poor IAQ.
Our Home Comfort Membership includes regular maintenance visits, priority service, and discounts on repairs or IAQ upgrades. Ongoing care reduces breakdowns and helps keep indoor air cleaner year-round.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a service call or book online for IAQ evaluations, equipment upgrades, or second opinions. Homeowners in Columbus, Newark, Westerville, Lancaster, Pataskala, and nearby areas can contact Dor-Mar for a free estimate on IAQ solutions tailored to their home.
FAQ: Indoor Air Quality in Central Ohio Homes
Below are a few additional questions Central Ohio homeowners frequently ask Dor-Mar about indoor air quality beyond what’s covered above.
How often should I change my HVAC filter if I’m worried about indoor air quality?
Most standard filters should be replaced every one to three months. If you have pets, allergies, or recent construction dust in the home, check monthly and change more frequently. Always use a filter type that matches your system’s design-an overly restrictive filter can reduce airflow and strain equipment. For guidance, see our post on choosing the right air filter for your home.
Can houseplants significantly improve my indoor air quality?
Plants can slightly reduce certain VOCs in controlled lab settings and add a small amount of humidity, but their real-world impact on whole-home IAQ is minimal. You’d need an impractical number of plants to make a measurable difference. Ventilation, filtration, and humidity control matter far more for achieving good IAQ and good indoor air quality throughout your living space.
Is my older Columbus home more likely to have indoor air quality problems?
Older homes may have drafty areas, moisture-prone basements, and legacy materials like lead paint or asbestos. However, they can also benefit from better drainage, dehumidifiers, upgraded HVAC, and modern IAQ solutions. The access points for outdoor air in older homes can actually help with ventilation-but they also let in outdoor air pollution, pollen, and allergens unfiltered. A professional assessment helps identify the right balance.
What is the difference between an air purifier and my furnace filter?
Your furnace filter mainly protects the HVAC equipment and captures larger dust and particulate matter. Dedicated air purifiers or whole-home air cleaners use higher-efficiency media or additional technologies-like UV or ionization-to reduce finer particles and some microbes throughout the living space. Air purifiers with True HEPA filters are especially effective at capturing fine particulate matter down to 0.3 microns.
How do I know if I need radon mitigation?
Only a radon test can confirm whether mitigation is needed. The EPA recommends taking action when radon levels reach or exceed 4 pCi/L, and many Central Ohio homes-particularly those in Franklin and Licking counties-test above this threshold. If you haven’t tested, start with basement and lower-level testing and consult a professional if readings are elevated. Dor-Mar offers radon testing and mitigation in Central Ohio and can walk you through what to expect from the process.
