Understanding Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

Shipshape Monitored5 min read

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What Is Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the condition of the air inside your home. It includes factors like temperature, humidity, and the presence of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust, and allergens.

Most people spend the majority of their time indoors. The air you breathe at home directly affects your comfort, your health, and even the condition of your home itself. Poor indoor air quality can cause headaches, fatigue, irritated eyes and throat, and aggravate allergies or asthma. Over time, it can also damage wood floors, paint, and furnishings.

The good news: understanding what affects your air quality is the first step toward improving it. And with Shipshape monitoring your home, you do not have to guess.

What Shipshape Monitors

Shipshape tracks several key indicators of indoor air quality through its snap-on sensors:

Temperature — Is your home too hot or too cold? Consistent temperature helps both comfort and energy efficiency.
Humidity — Too much moisture encourages mold. Too little causes dry skin and damage to wood. Shipshape tracks relative humidity continuously.
VOCs (with compatible sensors) — Volatile organic compounds are chemicals released by household products, paints, cleaning supplies, and building materials. Elevated VOC levels can irritate your respiratory system.

SAM watches these readings around the clock and alerts you when any value moves outside of a healthy range.

Healthy Ranges to Know

Here are the recommended indoor ranges for the key air quality metrics:

| Metric | Healthy Range | What Happens Outside This Range | |--------|--------------|-------------------------------| | Temperature | 68 - 76°F | Discomfort, higher energy bills, stress on HVAC | | Humidity | 30 - 50% | Below 30%: dry air problems. Above 50%: mold risk | | VOCs | Below 500 ppb | Headaches, eye irritation, respiratory issues |

These are general guidelines. Your ideal settings may vary based on personal comfort, health conditions, and the time of year.

Common Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality

You might be surprised at how many everyday activities and items can affect your air:

Cooking and Cleaning

Gas stoves release nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide
Frying and high-heat cooking produce particulates
Many cleaning products release VOCs, especially sprays and aerosols

Household Materials

New furniture, carpeting, and cabinetry can off-gas formaldehyde and other VOCs for weeks or months after installation
Fresh paint releases chemicals as it dries and cures
Pressed wood products (plywood, particleboard) are common off-gassing sources

Biological Sources

Pet dander and hair circulate through your HVAC system
Dust mites thrive in humid environments
Mold and mildew release spores when humidity stays high

Ventilation Issues

Tightly sealed homes trap pollutants inside
Blocked or dirty air returns reduce airflow
Running exhaust fans infrequently allows moisture and odors to linger

How Shipshape Helps

Shipshape gives you visibility into your home's air quality that you would never have otherwise:

Continuous Tracking

Your sensors take readings throughout the day and night. Instead of a single snapshot, you get a complete picture of how conditions change over time.

SAM Alerts

When a reading leaves the healthy range, SAM sends you a clear notification explaining what happened, why it matters, and what you can do about it. For example:

"Humidity in your basement has been above 55% for the past 6 hours. Sustained high humidity increases mold risk. Consider running your dehumidifier or checking your HVAC settings."

Pattern Detection

SAM's historical data helps you identify patterns you would never notice on your own. For example:

Humidity spikes every evening when you cook
Temperature swings that suggest your HVAC is cycling too frequently
VOC levels that rise after cleaning day

Once you see the pattern, you can take targeted action.

Home Health Score Impact

Indoor air quality factors into your overall Home Health Score. Keeping your readings in the healthy range contributes to a higher score, which reflects a well-maintained home.

Simple Tips to Improve Your Air Quality

You do not need expensive equipment to make a difference. Start with these practical steps:

Ventilation

Open windows when weather permits, even for 15 minutes
Run exhaust fans in the kitchen while cooking and in bathrooms during and after showers
Check your air returns to make sure furniture or curtains are not blocking them

HVAC Maintenance

Change your HVAC filter every 1-3 months (SAM can remind you)
Schedule annual HVAC tune-ups to keep the system running efficiently
Consider upgrading to a HEPA or high-MERV filter if allergies are a concern

Humidity Control

Use a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements and crawl spaces
Use a humidifier in winter if indoor humidity drops below 30%
Fix leaks promptly to prevent moisture buildup

Reducing Pollutants

Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints and finishes when renovating
Ventilate well when using cleaning products, especially sprays
Let new furniture air out in a well-ventilated area before moving it to bedrooms
Consider an air purifier with a HEPA filter for rooms where allergy sufferers spend the most time

Seasonal Considerations

Your air quality challenges change with the seasons:

Winter

Heating systems dry out indoor air, often dropping humidity below 30%
Homes are sealed tighter, trapping pollutants
Holiday candles and fireplace use add particulates
See the Low Humidity Alerts article for winter-specific guidance

Spring

Pollen infiltrates through open windows and on clothing
Spring cleaning products can spike VOC levels temporarily
Rising outdoor humidity can push indoor levels higher

Summer

High outdoor humidity can overwhelm natural ventilation
Air conditioning helps control humidity but can mask ventilation issues
Running HVAC harder means filters get dirty faster

Fall

Leaf mold and outdoor allergens increase
Transitioning between cooling and heating can create temperature swings
A good time to schedule HVAC maintenance before winter

When to Take Action

Not every alert requires immediate action. Here is a simple guide:

Temperature outside 68-76°F — Adjust your thermostat or check that your HVAC is running properly
Humidity above 55% for more than a few hours — Run a dehumidifier, check for leaks, improve ventilation
Humidity below 25% — Run a humidifier, check HVAC humidifier settings
VOCs above 500 ppb — Ventilate the area, identify the source, consider an air purifier
Persistent issues — If SAM alerts you repeatedly about the same condition, it may be time to call your service professional for a deeper assessment