Indoor Air Quality & Odors
Something about the building doesn't feel right. Maybe there's a smell you can't find, a room that always feels stuffy, or windows that drip every winter morning. ClearVU investigates indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns in homes, rentals and commercial buildings across New York and all of Vermont. We only test, so our findings stay independent of any contractor doing the work.
We assess building conditions, not people. If you or anyone in the building has health symptoms, please talk with your doctor.
Common reasons people call us
- Musty odors. A musty smell often goes along with dampness. The New York State Department of Health suggests checking for moisture problems that could lead to mold growth when you notice one.
- Chemical or fuel-like odors. Paints, solvents, adhesives, stored fuels and cleaning products all release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). EPA notes that levels of several of these compounds average two to five times higher indoors than outdoors. Spilled heating oil or stored petroleum products can also cause odors indoors.
- Sewer-like odors. Odors can point to a problem you can't see, such as a sewage backup. We help pin down where the smell comes from, so the right tradesperson can fix it.
- Stuffy or stale air. When too little outdoor air comes in, pollutants from indoor sources can build up. EPA points out that a building sealed tightly without mechanical ventilation can have higher indoor pollutant levels.
- Humidity problems. This includes condensation on windows, damp basements and crawlspaces, or air that feels clammy. EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent.
- Symptoms people link to the building. Some people notice headaches, irritated eyes or fatigue that ease once they leave. EPA says this pattern, where symptoms fade away from a space, is a reason to look for indoor sources.
- New construction and renovation smells. New flooring, cabinets, pressed-wood products, paints and finishes can give off gases for a while. EPA lists formaldehyde among the chemicals that can come from composite wood products and some building materials.
If a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, or you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, don't wait for an appointment. Carbon monoxide has no color or smell. The NYS Department of Health advises getting everyone out to fresh air right away and calling the fire department and the gas company, or a heating contractor.
What an IAQ investigation includes
No single test covers "air quality." EPA's guide on building air quality describes an investigation as a process: gather information, form an explanation, then test it. We follow that approach and fit the scope to your concern.
1. Walkthrough and interview. We start by asking what you notice, where, and when. Is it worse after rain, when the heat kicks on, or in one room? Then we walk the building. We look at the heating and cooling system, exhaust fans, the basement or crawlspace, recent work, stored products, and pathways from the garage, the ground or neighboring units.
2. Moisture and infrared screening. An infrared camera shows surface temperature differences, which can point to hidden moisture or air leaks. It's a screening tool, so we follow up by checking building materials directly for moisture and tracing likely water sources.
3. Temperature, humidity and ventilation. We measure temperature and relative humidity, and we can log them over time, with outdoor readings for comparison. Comfort depends on more than temperature: ASHRAE Standard 55 treats temperature, humidity, air speed and radiant heat, along with what people are wearing and doing, as factors that work together. Where ventilation is part of the question, we take or log carbon dioxide (CO2) readings. They help show whether a space is getting enough outdoor air for the people in it. CO2 is not a pass/fail measure of air quality. ASHRAE's current position is that indoor CO2 is not an overall indicator of IAQ, and its ventilation standard, ASHRAE 62.1, does not set a limit for indoor CO2.
4. Carbon monoxide. Where fuel-burning appliances, an attached garage or venting are part of the picture, we measure carbon monoxide (CO) with a meter.
5. Chemical odors and VOCs. A photoionization detector (PID) gives a real-time screening reading for many VOCs combined. We use it to help trace where a chemical or fuel odor is strongest. It doesn't identify individual chemicals. When that's needed, we collect VOC air samples, and formaldehyde air samples where new materials are a suspect. Samples are analyzed by independent, accredited labs. There's no federally enforceable standard for VOCs in homes and other non-industrial buildings, so we explain results in context rather than as a simple pass or fail.
6. Sewer-like odors. We use a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) meter to measure H2S, the rotten-egg-smelling gas that sewers can give off. Smoke testing puts visible smoke into the drain and vent system, so leaks show up where the smoke escapes.
7. Airborne particles and dust. A particle counter and PM2.5 meter measure airborne particle levels, including fine particles (PM2.5), so we can compare rooms with each other and with outdoor air. If dust keeps coming back, a residue appears on surfaces, or there's been a fire or smoke event, we can collect samples so a lab can identify what the material is.
8. Air and surface sampling. We collect air samples with sampling pumps and impactors when the investigation calls for them. That includes bacteria air sampling, analyzed by independent, accredited labs. MVOC air testing is offered on its own or as part of a mold assessment. It looks for gases that growing mold gives off, as one more line of evidence alongside a visual inspection and moisture readings. Samples are analyzed by independent, accredited labs. Surface ATP swab testing is a quick screen for organic residue on a surface. It tells us how clean a surface is, not which organisms are present.
At the end, you get a written report. It covers what we observed, what we measured or sampled, what the results mean, and the practical next steps.
How this connects to our other services
Indoor air concerns often overlap with other building issues. When they do, we'll explain the next step:
- Mold. If the odor or moisture points to mold, a mold assessment is offered in New York and Vermont. In New York, mold assessment is a licensed activity under Labor Law Article 32. See our mold assessment page.
- Radon. Radon has no smell, so an odor investigation won't find it. Testing is the only way to know your level. EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher. See our radon testing page.
- Asbestos. Renovation smells often come with renovation plans. If you're about to open walls, replace flooring or disturb old insulation, see our asbestos survey page first.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers first. More on the FAQ page.
Can you tell me whether the air in my building is making me sick?
No, and nobody should promise that from an air test alone. We assess the building: moisture, ventilation, likely sources and, where it helps, sampling. Health questions should go to your doctor, and you're welcome to share our report with them.
Can you test for "everything" in the air?
No. There's no single test that covers everything, and the NYS Department of Health notes that standard air sampling methods aren't designed to measure the wide variety of chemicals that cause odors. Our tools range from moisture, infrared, CO2, CO, H2S and particle readings to lab-analyzed VOC, formaldehyde, MVOC, bacteria and surface samples. We start with a walkthrough and interview, then choose the few that fit your situation.
Is a CO2 reading a safety limit?
No. CO2 readings mainly show whether a space gets enough outdoor air for its occupants. ASHRAE says its ventilation standard sets no indoor CO2 limit and that no single CO2 number fits every type of space.
Should I try an air freshener or an ozone machine in the meantime?
The NYS Department of Health says scented products only mask odors, and that ozone generators aren't a good choice because they can produce high ozone levels. Opening windows and running fans helps until the source is found.
Do you fix the problem?
No. ClearVU is a testing and assessment firm. We document what we find and recommend next steps, so you can hire the right contractor.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
It depends on the building and the scope of the investigation. Call or send us a note describing the concern, and we'll explain what an investigation would involve.
Talk with our team
Tell us what you're noticing, where the building is, and who needs the report. Our team will tell you honestly whether an IAQ investigation makes sense or another service fits better.
Call 518.832.9213 or send us a message.
Verify licenses
Check each license with the agency that issues it.
Talk with our team
Call 518.832.9213 or email support [at] cvenv [dot] com. Sample drop-off at our Queensbury office.