#homeenvironment

Many Australians assume indoor air is safer than outdoor air — especially when bushfire smoke or traffic pollution dominates the headlines.

But here’s something surprising: indoor air can actually contain higher levels of certain pollutants than the air outside.

One major contributor? VOCs — Volatile Organic Compounds.

These are gases released from everyday household products. If you’ve ever noticed the scent of new paint, fresh carpet, flat-pack furniture, or strong cleaning sprays, you’ve experienced VOCs being released into your home.

This process is called off-gassing.

Modern Australian homes are often built to be energy efficient and well-sealed. While this keeps cooling costs down during summer, it also means pollutants can linger longer indoors.

Common sources include:

• New furniture and cabinetry • Paints and adhesives • Cleaning sprays and air fresheners • Gas cooking • Dry-cleaned clothing • Craft and DIY materials

Short-term exposure may cause headaches, sore eyes, dizziness or fatigue — symptoms often described as “Sick Building Syndrome”.

Long-term exposure, depending on the compound, has been associated with respiratory irritation and other health concerns.

What makes VOCs tricky is that standard HEPA air purifiers don’t effectively remove gases. HEPA filters are excellent for particles like dust and pollen — but gases are much smaller at a molecular level.

So what can you do?

Start simple:

• Increase ventilation when outdoor air quality allows • Choose low-VOC labelled products • Air out new furniture before placing it in bedrooms • Store solvents outside living areas • Use exhaust fans during cooking

Indoor air quality isn’t just about visible dust. It’s about the invisible chemistry happening in the background of daily life.

Have you ever adjusted your thermostat multiple times in a day, yet your home still feels uncomfortable? One room feels too cold, another feels dry or stuffy, and nothing seems consistent. When your indoor temperature feels wrong, the issue often isn’t the HVAC system — it’s the lack of accurate, real-time information.

Why rooms feel too dry, too cold, or stuffy

Indoor comfort isn’t controlled by temperature alone. Humidity, outdoor pressure changes, and even rapid weather shifts can affect how your home feels. During colder months, heated air dries out rooms, while sealed windows trap stale air. Without knowing what’s actually happening indoors versus outdoors, discomfort becomes guesswork.

How inaccurate readings cause discomfort

Most people rely on a single wall thermostat or a phone app. The problem? Those readings are often incomplete or delayed. A thermostat placed in one hallway can’t represent your entire home, and weather apps don’t reflect your immediate surroundings. Poor indoor thermometer accuracy leads to constant overcorrecting — turning heat up, then down — without solving the root issue.

Why guessing thermostat settings doesn’t work

Guessing creates inconsistency. You might feel warm one moment and chilly the next, especially when outdoor pressure changes rapidly. Without visibility into indoor and outdoor conditions, it’s impossible to make small, effective adjustments that actually improve home comfort temperature.

How a wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer solves this

A wireless indoor outdoor thermometer acts like a diagnostic tool for your home. Devices like the Newentor Digital Weather Station show indoor and outdoor temperature, barometric pressure, and a local forecast in real time. Its clear color display and atomic clock make it easy to check conditions at a glance, helping you adjust heating, humidity, or ventilation based on real data — not guesses.

Having access to a digital weather station for home use means fewer unnecessary adjustments and a more balanced, comfortable living space.

👉 View the Newentor Weather Station here

Having real-time indoor and outdoor data makes adjusting your home far easier.

Affiliate Disclosure