How to Check the AQI of Your Room: 1 Minute to Assess Your Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality has become an essential concern for homeowners and renters alike, especially in urban environments or during periods of high outdoor pollution. Air Quality Index (AQI), though commonly associated with outdoor air, can and should be measured indoors to ensure a safe and healthy living space. If you want to check the AQI of your room, here are the steps you can take:

1. Understand What AQI Measures
2. AQI typically reports on several primary pollutants: particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). For indoor spaces, PM2.5 is often the top concern due to dust, smoke, pet dander, and cooking activities.
3. Purchase an Indoor Air Quality Monitor
4. Invest in a digital air quality monitor designed for home use. Look for models that specifically track PM2.5, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), CO₂, humidity, and temperature for thorough monitoring. These devices give real-time data on the AQI directly in your living space.
5. Placement Matters
6. For accurate readings, place your monitor in the room you use most often, away from windows and vents. Avoid putting it right next to pollutant sources such as stoves or candles for the truest reflection of the room's average air quality.
7. Manual Testing Options
8. There are inexpensive test kits available in hardware stores or online that can check for specific pollutants like formaldehyde or carbon monoxide. However, these kits usually don’t give an aggregated AQI value.
9. Compare with Outdoor AQI Apps
10. While outdoor AQI maps don’t directly represent your indoor air, a high outdoor AQI can indicate the need for more rigorous indoor monitoring, particularly if you frequently open windows or don't have an air purifier.

As a designer, I always factor air quality into room planning and recommend integrating tech-forward elements to support healthy living. High-quality air monitoring isn't just about health; it impacts how a room functions and feels. If you're planning a renovation or new setup, using a Home Designer tool can help position air quality monitors and purifiers seamlessly within your space, ensuring they do not disrupt your interior's aesthetics while maintaining the healthiest environment.

Tips 1:

Regularly calibrate your indoor air quality device according to the manufacturer's guidance for reliable readings. Also, check the battery or power source to prevent interruptions in monitoring.

FAQ

Q: What is a good AQI level for indoor spaces?

A: For optimal health, indoor AQI values should stay below 50, which is considered "good" according to EPA standards.

Q: Do houseplants improve indoor AQI?

A: While some plants can absorb certain pollutants, they are not a substitute for proper ventilation and mechanical filtration when addressing serious air quality problems.

Q: How often should I check the AQI in my room?

A: Continuous monitoring is ideal, but at a minimum, check the AQI daily during high pollution seasons or if you notice any respiratory symptoms.

Q: Can air purifiers help lower my room's AQI?

A: Yes, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers can significantly reduce indoor PM2.5 and overall AQI, especially when sized appropriately for your room.

Q: Is there a difference between outdoor and indoor AQI readings?

A: Yes, indoor AQI can vary greatly from outdoor levels depending on factors like ventilation, indoor pollutant sources, and the effectiveness of air filtration systems.