Indoor air quality
Updated
Air quality monitors, purifier sizing by CADR, humidity control and wildfire smoke days: measure first, then act with the right device.
Indoor air quality devices are easy to oversell. A monitor tells you whether particles, humidity or carbon dioxide are actually a problem; a purifier sized by its clean air delivery rate (CADR) handles particles in one room; a humidifier or dehumidifier keeps humidity in a comfortable range.
The EPA suggests choosing an air cleaner whose CADR matches the room size and notes that air cleaners alone do not solve every indoor air problem. We make no health claims and link to official guidance.
Calculators 1
Kits 1
Guides 5
GuideIndoor air quality monitors: what PM2.5, CO2 and VOC meanAn indoor air quality monitor reports particles, carbon dioxide, VOCs and humidity. Learn what each number tells you, what it cannot, how accurate…GuideSmart humidity control: humidifiers and dehumidifiersKeep indoor humidity between 30% and 50%, and below 60% at all times. Learn how to measure it, size a basement dehumidifier with continuous drain…GuideWildfire smoke: keeping indoor air cleanerDuring wildfire smoke, a sized air cleaner, MERV 13 filters and a closed-up room can lower indoor particles. Follow the EPA’s steps for CADR, HVAC…GuideWhich dehumidifier size do you need for a basement?Choose capacity by how damp the space feels and how large it is, not by square footage alone. Use the ENERGY STAR pint chart, then check humidity…GuideWhich air purifier is right for a bedroom?For a bedroom, size the unit by CADR, check noise at the low setting and look for lights you can turn off. Avoid ozone-producing devices and keep…
Comparisons 2
ComparisonPortable air purifier vs MERV 13 furnace filterA portable air cleaner treats one room. A MERV 13 furnace filter treats the whole house, but only while the system runs. Compare size, cost, noise…ComparisonDehumidifier with a bucket or a continuous drain (hose or pump)A bucket needs emptying every day or two. A hose or built-in pump lets a dehumidifier run unattended in a basement. Compare convenience, cost and…