5 Air Quality Myths That Cost You Money

Myth 1: If It Smells Clean, the Air Is Clean

Fragrance covers odors without removing pollutants. Air fresheners add VOCs to the air. A home can smell like lavender and still have elevated CO2, mold spores, or allergens.

Myth 2: An Air Purifier Fixes Everything

HEPA purifiers capture particles but not gases (CO, NO2, formaldehyde). They work in one room, not the whole house. And they do not fix the source of the problem.

Myth 3: New Homes Have Better Air Quality

New homes have tighter envelopes that trap VOCs from new materials. Off-gassing from paint, flooring, cabinets, and furniture can produce higher VOC levels than in older homes.

Myth 4: Duct Cleaning Is Regular Maintenance

The EPA says routine duct cleaning has not been shown to improve health outcomes. It helps in specific situations (visible mold, vermin, renovation dust) but is not a general maintenance item.

Myth 5: If the CO Alarm Has Not Gone Off, There Is No CO Problem

CO alarms trigger at 70 ppm sustained for hours. Chronic low-level exposure at 5 to 30 ppm produces headaches, fatigue, and confusion without ever triggering the alarm.