We love that the RV lifestyle takes us to the parts of the country where the air is pure and we can breathe deep in the fresh air. Whether that be the tall mountains of Colorado or the beautiful tropical aromas of the everglades in Florida, we all seek the purity of nature.
Unfortunately, our means to get there - the RV - can host some of the worst air quality for people, but there are ways to improve air quality while going to those places we all love.
Mold
First, let's discuss one of the most common causes of bad air quality - mold. In a lot of cases, RVs sit for a long time, especially for folks who do their RVing in the summer and this can lead to mold. Mold develops from mold spores, which are natural to the environment. When an RV is closed up and stored for a long period of time, it is prime time for mold to develop as any sort of moisture trapped inside the RV are good places for mold spores. Mold can also happen when there is a leaky roof or leaky pipes or under the mattress due to lack of air circulation.
“We get about 20-30 units a year with mold issues,” says Kevin of Frank’s RV Repair in Clayton, North Carolina, “And it always comes down to lack of proper maintenance.” Frank’s RV Repair urges to properly caulk all window seals and reseal the roof regularly. “It’s the same as a house - if you have a little bit of a hole, it can amount to a big problem,” Kevin says.
Winterizing the RV is one of the most important ways to care for your RV and prevent mold. Checking for leaks in the roof and inspecting plumbing before winterizing is essential for attempting to keep an RV mold free.
Find ways to prevent moisture from remaining in the RV is also a must. Products such as DampRid are good for this, which is available at most major hardware stores. One user says of DampRid, "I use the 64 oz DampRid in my 32 ft RV while I full time. One in the front and one in the rear. Too much moisture is not good in RV's, boats etc. I also have a humidity / temperature monitor in the front and rear to monitor. DampRid does a fantastic job keeping the humidity at a safe level. I know it's working by checking the weight of the bucket from time to time. Great product and at less than $10 for around 3 months use. I highly recommend using it if needed."
Full timers find the wood lining in the main hatch area of their RV accumulating mold from a leak.
Carpeting
A lot of new RVs use carpet and/or vinyl flooring. Even when remodeling old trailers, these are the go-to flooring options. Though both of these are great for weight, cost, and use, they have some cons that affect air quality. Carpet traps a lot of different kinds of pollutants. According to the American Lung Association, "Carpets may trap pollutants like dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergens, particle pollution, lead, mold spores, pesticides, dirt and dust."
Vinyl flooring is better in regards to absorbing pollutants; however the installation process can release off-gassing solvents that are harmful to air quality and health. Also, water can get trapped underneath the vinyl flooring, causing mold to develop in due time.
Gas and Smoke
Carbon Monoxide is always something to be concerned about in an RV. Mark Polk of RV 101 writes, “If your RV doesn’t have a carbon monoxide detector you need to purchase a battery operated carbon monoxide detector designed for use in RVs.” Carbon Monoxide gas can come from exhaust leaks, improper use of portable gas heaters, and someone else’s vehicle in the campground or faulty LP gas appliances. The more precautions in place the better.
Another factor that can affect RVers is smoking and secondhand smoke. Anyone who has been inside a 30 to 40 year old trailer of a heavy smoker can still smell the effect after all those years. It isn't just the smell, though. Smoking in an enclosed environment like an RV causes harmful pollutants and chemicals, like formaldehyde and cyanide, to build up on everything, which affects air quality tremendously.
There are several ways to combat these factors. The most obvious is to open windows frequently and ventilate the RV. If air is not circulating, then there is more chance for mold and other pollutants to build up.
Also, consider and investment in air conditioner filters that helps to purify the air. One company, RV Air, specializes in filters that remove pollen, dust, mold spores, pet dander and other allergens from the air in your RV. Customers recommend it, though some people comment on having to modify the filter to fit into their system. One customer says, "Bought this because my allergies were really bad and I thought it might help. So far, I think it has helped somewhat, and hopefully it will help even more as it continues to filter the air in my RV."
Another option is an air purifier. The Buzz talked with the company AirOasis based out of Texas, about what they would recommend for an RV. “The biggest dangers with RVs are VOCs and Allergens,” explains AirOasis Sales Engineer Tyler Lewis. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds and are things like carbon monoxide and other harmful gases that come from engines. “We always recommend the Bipolar 2400 model because most RVs have a system where the Bipolar can be connected directly into the HVAC system of the RV,” Lewis explains. Since AirOasis makes the Bipolar air purifier, they are able to provide custom diagrams for how to install the unit as the voltages are often different.
One user comments on its use in the home, “I purchased this whole home air purifier because my five year old daughter was struggling with seasonal allergies... runny nose, itchy watery eyes, sore throat, sneezing, etc. She was miserable. Within an hour after installing the Bipolar air purifier, her allergy symptoms were completely gone.”
One other air purifier for small spaces, the GT50, is also recommended for RVs and can be seen on Amazon here.
Winterizing properly, implementing ways to circulate the air and, if necessary, investing in an air purifier can make your quality of life that much better while enjoying fresh air inside and out.