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As summer arrives in Lane County, many homeowners begin focusing on staying cool and comfortable indoors. But while temperature often gets the most attention, the quality of the air inside the home can play just as important of a role in overall comfort and wellness.

From tree pollen and grass allergens to dust, pet dander and lingering odors, summer can introduce a variety of airborne particles into the home. Many people notice symptoms like sneezing, congestion, headaches, dry eyes or rooms that simply feel stale or stuffy - even while the air conditioner is running.

What surprises many homeowners is that indoor air can sometimes become more polluted than outdoor air, especially during seasons when homes stay closed up for long periods to keep cool air inside.

According to the indoor air quality specialists at Marshall's Specialty Services, homeowners often don’t realize how much air continuously circulates through their HVAC system each day. Every time the system runs, air moves throughout the home and through the ductwork. If dust, allergens and contaminants are present inside the system, they can continue circulating from room to room.

Over time, buildup inside ducts, poor ventilation and insufficient filtration can impact not only comfort, but indoor air quality as well.

Indoor air quality also affects more than allergies alone. Good air quality contributes to physical comfort and cognitive function. High levels of carbon dioxide buildup and airborne pollutants inside the home may contribute to fatigue, difficulty concentrating and that “heavy air” feeling many people notice during warmer months.

Homes today are also built tighter and more energy efficient than ever before. While that helps improve heating and cooling efficiency, it can also trap airborne contaminants indoors without proper ventilation or filtration systems in place.

The experts at Marshall's Specialty Services say some of the most common indoor air quality concerns homeowners experience during the summer months include:

• Tree and grass pollen entering the home
• Pet dander and lingering pet odors
• Dust and dust mite buildup
• Cooking odors and airborne particles
• Smoke particles during wildfire season
• Stale indoor air from poor ventilation
• Airborne contaminants circulating through dirty ductwork

Fortunately, there are several ways homeowners can improve indoor air quality and create a cleaner, fresher living environment.

Whole-home air purification systems have become increasingly popular because they work directly with HVAC systems to help reduce airborne contaminants throughout the home - not just in one room. Products like the Carrier Air Purifier and Air Scrubber by Aerus are designed to help reduce particles such as dust, allergens and odors while supporting cleaner indoor air.

Proper ventilation also plays an important role in maintaining healthier indoor air. Without adequate airflow, pollutants can build up indoors over time. Ventilation improvements can help introduce fresher air while reducing stagnant indoor air and trapped contaminants.

Duct cleaning and duct sealing are also commonly recommended solutions for improving indoor air quality. Duct cleaning helps remove dust and debris buildup that may be circulating through the HVAC system, while duct sealing can help prevent attic dust, insulation particles and other contaminants from entering the airflow through leaks or gaps in ductwork.

Summer is an especially important time to evaluate indoor air quality because HVAC systems often run longer and more frequently during hot weather. Preparing a home now can also help before wildfire smoke season arrives later in the summer, when outdoor air quality can quickly impact indoor comfort indoors.

As indoor air quality continues becoming a larger focus for homeowners, the team at Marshall's Specialty Services encourages homeowners to think beyond temperature alone when it comes to home comfort.

Because true comfort is about more than just heating and cooling - it’s also about the air people breathe every day inside their homes.