How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in a New York City Apartment

So many factors define your quality of life in New York City, from health to mental well-being, but is indoor air quality on your list?

Think about the number of pollutants that come wafting into your apartment. Seasonal allergens and mold are two big concerns, especially as the weather heats up. 

There’s ground-level smog right outside your window. Traffic and heating systems also produce fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which are tiny yet hazardous particles. 

The burning of cooking fuels is another worrisome cause of indoor air pollution in NYC.

Most importantly, there are several things you can start doing right now to significantly reduce your exposure to indoor air pollutants. Along with basic HVAC maintenance, you can install Merv filters, control humidity, adapt to the season, identify kitchen and bathroom issues, and improve window sealing.

Start With Routine HVAC Maintenance

This is a good opportunity to think about your entire HVAC system’s impact on air quality, including your furnace and radiators. Duct cleaning, air filter replacements, and coil cleaning are basic services that improve indoor air quality. 

Duct cleaning, for example, removes built-up dust and debris. Mold can also grow in your duct system when exposed to moisture, causing your HVAC system to circulate spores that increase the risk of respiratory issues like allergies, wheezing, and throat irritation.

When hiring an HVAC pro, check to make sure your neighborhood is listed on their furnace and AC service coverage areas. If not, they may have a good recommendation in the city or helpful information on their website, like furnace maintenance tips for preventing indoor pollutants like Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).    

Upgrade Your Air Filters

Next, see if your apartment has a modern packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) or a central HVAC system. This will help determine the type of air filters you need. 

Learn about MERV ratings to choose the most effective filter for removing indoor pollutants. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It’s a scale that measures an air filter’s capacity for capturing indoor particles.

According to data from the EPA, the MERV scale starts with levels 1 through 4; these filters can catch up to 20% of airborne particles. It goes up from there, with MERV 16 filters capable of capturing up to 95% of pollutants, such as:  

• Tobacco smoke
• Bacteria
• Particulate Matter (PM2.5) from traffic

These pollutants are regularly produced by heavy traffic zones outside city apartment windows.

However, there can be an issue with filter thickness. Since filters with higher MERV ratings are thicker, they can restrict airflow, causing your HVAC system to work overtime. This can be a problem for HVAC systems older than 10 years. 

The above scenario would require a MERV 11 filter rather than a MERV 13. The former is strong enough to capture particles without wearing down your system.   

High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are the most powerful, capturing up to 99.7% of particles, according to the EPA. However, you’ll need an HVAC system that can accommodate this level of filtration.

Monitor PM2.5 Levels

Install a digital air quality monitor to track PM2.5 levels in your apartment. 

When levels spike, it’s likely due to rush hour traffic outside your window; that’s when you know to keep the window shut. You can also identify low-pollution times when you can open your window to air out your apartment during summer.

Improve Humidity Control

As a New Yorker, you’re all too familiar with the city’s sweltering summers and extreme humidity fluctuations. 

Aim for a 30-50% indoor humidity range, according to NYC Health. Install a humidity monitor to track your indoor humidity level to prevent mold growth and dust mites. However, if the humidity drops below 30%, a rise in dry air can cause throat and eye irritation.   

Air Quality Issues With Kitchens and Bathrooms

If you live in an older NYC apartment, your building may still have a ganged exhaust system. It uses a connected roof fan to pull air from multiple kitchens and bathrooms in the building.

Kitchen hoods are also prevalent in older NYC apartments. The problem is that they recirculate air through green filters without proper ventilation. As a result, you’re forced to open a window while cooking, especially if you have a gas stove that releases nitrogen dioxide. 

Meanwhile, bathrooms increase the risk of localized mold. 

This is especially true for tenement-style layouts without fans. It’s important to air out the bathroom during or after showering to prevent moisture from seeping into the drywall. Moist drywall quickly breeds mold spores.

If your bathroom has an exhaust fan, run it for a half hour after showering to reduce moisture.

Follow Seasonal Air Quality Strategies

Adapt your air quality approach from season to season. 

If you have a window AC, which is common in NYC apartments, use the dry mode setting on your unit. This will quickly cool off your apartment and remove moisture. You can also install an energy-efficient dehumidifier, which can really come in handy if you live in a garden-level or basement apartment.

Winter introduces the radiator problem. They can cause your humidity levels to dip, irritating your sinuses. Installing a simple humidifier can help refresh the air with enough moisture, creating a more breathable environment. 

Seal Your Windows

You know that black dust on your windowsill? That’s diesel soot, tire rubber, and brake dust from outside. If it’s entering the inside of your apartment, your old window frames are too loose. 

Use adhesive foam or V-seal strips to close those gaps. This will also help with weatherstripping. Ultimately, you should replace these windows or ask your landlord about it. 

Seal up gaps around window AC units. You could insert foam panels or apply caulking to these gap areas.

Breathe Easy Again

Yes, it’s possible to improve indoor air quality, even in an old NYC apartment. Start with a routine HVAC appointment, followed by a more in-depth look at filtration, PM2.5 levels, kitchen and bathroom issues, humidity control, season-specific concerns, and window sealing.    

Managing indoor air quality is essential to improving your quality of life in New York. Follow our blog for even more tips and tricks for making your NYC dream all the more special.