Recommended Air Quality Gear

The Healthy Home Air Quality Audit asks you to measure first, fix the source, then filter what is left. These are the instruments and the equipment, with the specification that matters for each.

To measure

Numbers turn the room sheets from guesses into answers.

• Indoor PM2.5 particle monitor

  A laser-sensor monitor that shows PM2.5 in real time, so you can see cooking, candle and smoke spikes and whether a purifier works.

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• NDIR CO2 monitor

  Must say NDIR; an "eCO2" reading from a VOC sensor is an estimate. Tells you when a bedroom or office needs fresh air.

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• Digital hygrometer (2- or 3-pack)

  For the bedroom, bathroom and basement; the target is 30 to 50% humidity.

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• Radon test kit

  A short-term kit with lab analysis included; place it in the lowest lived-in level.

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• Moisture meter

  Finds damp behind suspected mold and checks firewood is at 20% moisture or less.

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For safety

Carbon monoxide gives no warning without an alarm.

• Carbon monoxide alarm with digital display

  UL 2034 listed; one on every level and outside each sleeping area. A display shows low readings the alarm will not sound for.

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• N95 respirators

  NIOSH-approved, for smoke days and mold cleanup; cloth and surgical masks do not filter smoke.

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To filter and dry

Sized by the worksheet, run all the time.

• True HEPA air purifier with a published smoke CADR

  Look for true HEPA, a smoke CADR that meets your room's number, and CARB certification (no ozone).

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• MERV 13 furnace filters

  Check your filter size on the current filter; a deeper 4- or 5-inch filter eases the airflow load.

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• Box fan and four 20-inch MERV 13 filters

  For a Corsi–Rosenthal box: a cheap, noisy backup for smoke emergencies.

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• Dehumidifier with a drain hose

  Set to 50% for a damp basement; continuous drain so it never stops when the bucket fills.

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• Bathroom fan timer switch

  Runs the fan about 20 minutes after a shower without anyone remembering.

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• Portable induction cooktop

  No flame, so no NO2 from frying; still use the hood for the food's own particles.

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• Allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers

  For dust-mite allergy; zippered, with a tight weave.

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Prices and availability change on Amazon. This page is educational and is not medical advice; talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement.