Off-Gassing in the Home: What it Is and What to Do About It?

What is off-gassing?
Off-gassing occurs when toxic chemicals, gases, and VOCs are released into the air. Your home can get exposed to toxic chemicals like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released from home renovations, installing furniture, and purchasing new home items.

How does off-gassing happen in the home?
Off-gassing can be a concern in homes that are built with building materials that improve their insulation levels. While an insulated home can be excellent for energy efficiency it can cause a build-up of toxic chemicals, VOC, and trapped gas exposing the home residents to off-gassing.

What are common sources of off-gassing in homes

Off-gassing in homes can happen from sources like:

       Building materials: Building materials like adhesives, sealants, and paints may contain VOC and other toxic chemicals like formaldehyde that can cause off-gassing.

       Detergents and cleaning products: Air fresheners, disinfectants, and laundry detergents release VOCs.

       Household products: Commonly used items like gas burners/stoves and paint emit toxic chemicals producing off-gassing.

       Flooring materials: Installing vinyl, or engineered-wood flooring can cause off-gassing.

What are the health effects of off-gassing?
Off-gassing can cause health hazards like:

       Headaches

       Respiratory issues especially in people with asthma

       Nose, throat, or eye irritation

       Dizziness

How long does off-gassing last?
The effect of off-gassing usually diminishes over time as the chemicals evaporate. The evaporation rate depends on factors like:

       Ventilation: Proper ventilation can reduce the impact of VOCs in your home.

       Temperature: Higher temperature causes the VOC vapors to rise which adversely impacts the indoor air quality.

       Humidity: Increased humidity level increases VOC levels leading to faster off-gassing.

How to stop off-gassing into your home?
You can reduce off-gassing in your home by:

Improving home ventilation:
Improving home ventilation can reduce VOC levels mitigating off-gassing in your home. You can do that by:

       Opening the doors and windows: This can let in fresh air improving your home ventilation.

       Installing a whole-house fan: In insulated homes where opening windows and doors is not possible, using whole-house fabs can improve air circulation eliminating toxic VOCs and other chemicals from the house.

       Installing an attic fan: Higher temperatures in the attic during summer can adversely impact the air quality. Getting attic fans can improve attic ventilation and reduce off-gassing.

       Using a garage exhaust fan: Garages are enclosed spaces that can collect fumes and other toxic gases. Using a garage exhaust fan can improve ventilation reducing off-gassing.

WholeHouseFan.com can help you increase the ventilation in your home. We have a variety of high quality energy-saving whole house fans, Quiet Cool whole house fans, attic fans and garage exhaust fans for you to choose from.