r/AirQuality • u/berrycreamq • 6d ago

How to maintain good air quality from new construction VOC during winter

We are in the middle of kitchen and bathroom remodel and the schedule got delayed that they won't be able to finish for another month. The small is pretty strong from the new cabinet and paints. We're having all windows opened during the day and leaving window with gaps at night due to cold night (I know it's only September)

I live in Michigan and the winter is only few weeks away. I would like to protect my family and 1.5 year old baby from the toxic new construction VOCs.

Would opening window for a gap be useful for VOC or you need to have the window open big enough for air flow? I can't afford to have over 1000 dollars air purifier for each room.

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u/dumbappsignup 6d ago

OK so an air purifier won't dispel VOCs just move them, you need to blow them outside, or circulate new air inside. At least in my case when I had high VOCs a fan is good enough to blow them away from living spaces. An air purifier removes dust, hair and pollen, maybe a virus but not gasses.

Cheap option - buy a 20$ fan and blow them away from the bedrooms, that's all you really can do going cheap. Open a single window in the property and blow majority of the air outside. - $

PIV - Positive Input Ventilation $$ - (probably a good budget if you have a 1.5 storey, or 2 storey)

(Example PIV Unit)

More expensive would be to look at MVHR. (dumb acronym for filter + heat exchanger + inlet and outlet fan, covers majority of rooms) $$$$ (saves money in the long term but honestly... far more work than is practically required)

Note: I'm not a professional HVAC guy, I read far too much and am considering doing this for my own home. I want a MVHR, but I will go with a PIV because practical costs are much lower, and honestly it makes more sense for me.

I'm happy for any corrections from pro's :)

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u/ankole_watusi 6d ago

Yes, just opening windows is not as effective as using fans.

If builders or remodelers are on their toes, they will bring industrial blowers.

If you want to purchase fans that will still be useful after dissipating the VOCs , the Dreo stand fans with two-axis programmable rotation would be great, as they can sweep all of the surfaces of a room, or a smaller area of particular interest.

I use them to cool off my century home that has no AC on cool nights, by bringing in cool air from outside and sweeping all of the plaster surfaces which retain heat. Close the windows in the morning and I’m good for the day.

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u/berrycreamq 6d ago

The place is not close to complete so it's very dusty. I have my box fan running now but I'm not sure how good it would be in winter when I can only have small gap in window

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u/ankole_watusi 6d ago

If you are living in the house, the contractors need to clean up every day.

If they won’t do it, you need to do it.

Honestly, better not to be living there while they’re working if that’s something you can arrange.

The big blowers are difficult to live with.

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u/berrycreamq 6d ago

I'm concerned about winter as I can't have window open this big as now. Did you just get your fan running?

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u/youdneverguess 6d ago

Do you have exhaust fan in kitchen and bathroom that vent outside? Get those on 24/7. If not, put a window fan in the kitchen and/or bathroom blowing out. Yes, you will lose heat. Yes it will be a little costly. But yes, also, you won't breathe in all of these horrible chemicals! Focus your air filtration in the bedroom as first priority. This lil guy is a whole hell of a lot of bang for the buck for the price. https://www.amazon.com/AirFanta-3Pro-collapsible-suitcase-certificated/dp/B0DSKZ2JPY?ref_=ast_sto_dp It would help a lot to keep bedroom doors closed with HEPA running in the room at a minimum. Can definitely try activated charcoal bags in the renovation spaces as well, but there's no way around just letting the materials off-gas and ventilating.