RightAir Solutions is a company that specialises in commercial air conditioning services.
Testing air quality in a room involves using specialist monitors and testing kits to detect pollutants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, radon gas, and humidity levels. Accurate indoor air quality testing identifies potential health risks, informs necessary improvements, and promotes a healthier living environment. Understanding how to properly assess the air you breathe at home is important for safeguarding well-being and creating comfortable indoor spaces.
Indoor air quality plays a key role in maintaining good health. Poor air inside homes can lead to coughing, sneezing, headaches, and more serious health problems if left unchecked. Many people are surprised to learn that indoor air can sometimes be worse than outdoor air, especially when windows remain closed or when cleaning products release chemicals into the indoor environment.
In the United Kingdom, where weather often keeps people indoors, attention to air quality is necessary. Everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, and even lighting candles release tiny particles and chemicals into the air. These pollutants can accumulate and make breathing more difficult over time. Testing indoor air is a straightforward step that every homeowner and tenant can take to improve living conditions.
Pro Tip: Always test indoor air quality after major home improvements.
Renovations such as painting, fitting new carpets, or installing insulation can introduce new pollutants like formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds. Testing immediately after works are completed helps to identify and address any hidden air quality problems before they affect health.
Particulate matter includes tiny pieces of dust, smoke, and other solids suspended in the air. PM2.5 particles are small enough to reach deep into the lungs, posing a greater health risk. Common household sources include cooking emissions, wood burning, and everyday activities like vacuuming. Monitoring PM2.5 and PM10 levels helps to detect air quality issues early.
VOCs are gases emitted from certain solids and liquids. They are often present in paints, cleaning sprays, air fresheners, and synthetic furniture. Prolonged exposure can lead to headaches, dizziness, throat irritation, and in some cases, long term respiratory illnesses.
While carbon dioxide is a natural part of the air, high indoor levels often point to poor ventilation. Symptoms of high CO2 exposure include fatigue, reduced concentration, and headaches. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas produced by faulty gas appliances. It can cause serious harm or death, making carbon monoxide alarms essential in every home.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes through foundations and cracks in walls. Long term exposure increases the risk of lung cancer. Areas like Cornwall and South West England are more likely to have high radon levels. Testing for radon is easy and affordable and helps to keep homes safe.
Mould thrives in damp, poorly ventilated spaces and releases spores that can trigger asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections. Other indoor allergens such as dust mites and pet dander also contribute to poor indoor air quality. Keeping humidity levels under control and addressing water leaks promptly can prevent mould growth.
Testing air quality should happen at least twice a year, ideally in early winter and early summer. You should also test after home renovations, installation of new carpets, or if there are any signs of dampness or poor ventilation. If health symptoms like headaches, allergies, or fatigue persist, more frequent testing can help identify underlying problems.
Winter often traps pollutants indoors due to closed windows and extended heating use. During summer, outdoor allergens like pollen infiltrate homes. External factors such as traffic pollution, nearby industrial sites, and construction work also influence indoor air quality. Testing air quality across different seasons helps build a clearer picture of air trends within the home.
Pro Tip:
Use long-term air quality monitoring to spot hidden patterns.
Short-term testing can miss issues caused by seasonal changes or daily habits. A device that collects data over several weeks gives a more complete picture and allows you to spot trends, such as pollution spikes linked to specific activities like cooking or heating.
Reliable air quality monitors measure key pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, VOCs, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, humidity, and temperature. Devices with data logging features allow homeowners to track trends and spot patterns over time. For more specific concerns, radon gas detectors, mould test kits, and formaldehyde meters are available.
Basic methods like placing bowls of water to monitor humidity or using an incense stick to observe air movement can offer early clues. However, using a proper monitor provides more detailed and actionable information.
Concerned about indoor air pollutants? Our specialists offer comprehensive testing services to give you peace of mind and healthier air at home.
Place monitors in central locations away from direct sunlight, heaters, windows, or appliances. This ensures more accurate readings. Avoid placing monitors on the floor or too close to walls, as these locations can distort results.
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines carefully. Let monitors run for at least 24 to 48 hours to gather reliable baseline data. Testing during different times of the day reveals how activities like cooking or sleeping affect air quality.
Testing over several days gives a better picture of indoor air patterns. Recording results in a notebook or spreadsheet helps identify trends and pinpoint problem areas within the home.
Bedrooms often suffer from elevated carbon dioxide levels overnight due to breathing. Good ventilation, regular vacuuming, and minimising dust buildup contribute to healthier sleeping environments.
Cooking releases large amounts of particulate matter and VOCs. Always use extractor fans while cooking and open windows to allow pollutants to escape. Air quality monitors should be used during meal preparation to track peak exposure times.
High humidity in bathrooms can encourage mould growth. Always use extractor fans and keep windows open when possible. Monitoring humidity levels helps to maintain conditions that are less favourable for mould and bacteria.
Basements are prone to radon gas accumulation and damp conditions. Radon detectors placed near floors and dehumidifiers to control moisture levels are practical ways to improve air quality in these spaces.
PM2.5 should remain below 10 micrograms per cubic metre
Carbon dioxide levels should stay below 1000 parts per million
Relative humidity should stay between 40 percent and 60 percent
Radon levels should be below 200 becquerels per cubic metre according to Public Health England
High particulate levels, carbon monoxide detection, excessive humidity, and elevated radon readings all signal the need for prompt action. Persistent exposure to these conditions can harm respiratory and cardiovascular health.
Simple habits like opening windows daily, installing trickle vents, and using extractor fans during cooking and bathing improve indoor air circulation.
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) purifiers are effective at capturing dust, allergens, and fine particles. For VOCs and chemical pollutants, activated carbon filters provide additional protection.
If radon is detected, professional mitigation systems may be needed. Mould problems require addressing moisture sources and thorough cleaning with mould inhibiting treatments.
Daily: Open windows for ventilation Weekly: Vacuum carpets, clean surfaces, and check for damp spots Monthly: Review monitor readings, replace air filters, and inspect extractor fans
Homeowners can download our full DIY air quality checklist by visiting the RightAir Solutions resources page
Positioning monitors near heaters, air vents, or windows can give false readings. Always place monitors centrally and at breathing height for the most accurate results.
Temporary spikes caused by short activities like cooking should be considered normal unless levels stay high for extended periods. Regular data tracking helps distinguish between normal fluctuations and real problems.
Pollution levels outside the home have a strong impact on indoor readings. Checking local air quality reports on trusted sources like Defra or Air Quality England alongside home testing helps interpret results properly.
If repeated monitoring shows consistently poor air quality or if household members experience worsening health symptoms such as persistent coughs, headaches, or breathlessness, it is time to seek expert support.
Sometimes indoor air problems originate from structural issues like hidden dampness, ventilation system failures, or outdoor pollution seepage. In such cases, professional air quality assessments offer the most effective solutions.
RightAir Solutions offers comprehensive indoor air quality assessments using professional-grade equipment to detect pollutants accurately. We develop customised action plans to resolve air quality issues and supply leading purification and ventilation systems. For more advice or to arrange a home air quality consultation, visit our services page on the RightAir Solutions website.
Taking simple, thoughtful steps to check and improve indoor air quality supports a healthier, more comfortable life. Regular testing, combined with the right tools and knowledge, empowers homeowners to create safer, fresher environments for their families.
Testing the quality of your air twice a year is recommended, but additional checks are helpful after renovations, installation of new materials, or if household members show signs of poor air quality exposure.
Certain plants can absorb small amounts of VOCs and carbon dioxide, but they cannot replace proper ventilation and filtration systems.
Budget monitors can indicate basic trends but for reliable, detailed readings, it is worth investing in a higher quality device.
The most concerning pollutants include PM2.5, radon gas, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and mould spores.
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