Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. If your indoor air contains pollutants, allergens, or excess humidity, you’re breathing contaminated air most of the day.

Common Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Health Symptoms:

• Frequent allergies or allergy flare-ups
• Asthma symptoms that worsen at home
• Persistent coughing or sneezing
• Headaches or dizziness
• Dry, irritated eyes, nose, or throat
• Fatigue or difficulty concentrating

Home Indicators:

• Excessive dust on surfaces
• Musty or stale odors
• Visible mold or mildew
• Condensation on windows
• Stuffy, uncomfortable air
• Static electricity in winter

If you notice these signs, your home’s air quality needs attention.

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

Airborne Particles

• Dust and dust mites: Trigger allergies and respiratory issues
• Pollen: Enters through doors, windows, and on clothing
• Pet dander: Affects even people without pet allergies
• Mold spores: Cause respiratory problems and worsen allergies

Chemical Contaminants

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): From cleaning products, furniture, paint, and building materials
• Cause: Headaches, dizziness, and long-term health effects

Biological Contaminants

• Bacteria and viruses: Spread more easily in poorly ventilated homes
• Mold and mildew: Thrive in humid conditions

Humidity Problems

• Too much humidity (summer): Sticky feeling, mold growth, dust mites
• Too little humidity (winter): Dry skin, irritated sinuses, static electricity

Modern energy-efficient homes trap these pollutants inside because they’re built tight to save energy.

Our Indoor Air Quality Services

Air Purification Systems

Clean the air continuously throughout your entire home.

HEPA Filtration

• Captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns
• Removes dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores
• Ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers

UV Light Purifiers

• Neutralizes bacteria, viruses, and mold spores
• Uses ultraviolet germicidal light to disrupt microorganism DNA
• Prevents mold growth on AC coils
• Eliminates musty odors

Electronic Air Cleaners

• Uses ionization to capture microscopic particles
• Removes smoke, odors, and ultra-fine particles
• Low maintenance, high efficiency

Benefits You’ll Notice:

• Fewer allergy symptoms
• Less dust on furniture
• Fresher-smelling home
• Better respiratory health

Whole-Home Humidifiers

Add moisture to overly dry winter air automatically.

Winter Air Problems: Heating your home removes moisture from indoor air, creating uncomfortable dryness.

Humidifier Benefits:

• Relief from dry skin and chapped lips
• Reduced sinus irritation and nosebleeds
• Protection for wood floors and furniture
• Elimination of static electricity
• Improved comfort at lower temperatures (save energy!)

How It Works: Connects to your HVAC system and maintains optimal humidity levels (30-50%) automatically throughout your entire home.

Whole-Home Dehumidifiers

Remove excess moisture during humid summer months.

Summer Humidity Problems: Excess humidity makes your home feel sticky and uncomfortable, even when the AC is running.

Dehumidifier Benefits:

• Eliminates sticky, uncomfortable feeling
• Prevents mold and mildew growth
• Reduces dust mites (they thrive in humidity)
• Makes your home feel cooler
• Reduces AC workload and energy costs

How It Works: Works independently or alongside your AC to maintain comfortable humidity levels year-round.0

Ventilation Systems

Bring fresh outdoor air into your home while exhausting stale indoor air.

The Problem: Modern homes are sealed tight for energy efficiency, which traps stale air and pollutants inside.

Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV)

• Exchange indoor and outdoor air continuously
• Recover heat and moisture from exhaust air
• Minimize energy loss while providing fresh air

Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV)

• Exchange air while recovering heat
• Perfect for cold climates
• Reduce heating costs while improving air quality

Benefits:

• Fresh air without opening windows
• Reduced indoor pollutants
• Balanced humidity levels
• Minimal impact on energy bills

Air Filtration Options

Your HVAC filter is your first line of defense against airborne particles.

Filter Types & Ratings

Standard Fiberglass Filters

• Catch only large particles
• Minimal air quality benefits
• Good for basic system protection only

Pleated Filters

• Capture smaller particles
• Better air quality improvement
• Maintain proper airflow

MERV-Rated Filters

• MERV 8: Basic filtration for typical homes
• MERV 11: Enhanced filtration for most households
• MERV 13: Superior filtration for allergies and asthma
• MERV 16+ (HEPA): Medical-grade filtration

Important: We assess your system’s capabilities to recommend filters that improve air quality without restricting airflow or damaging your equipment.

UV Light Air Purification

How UV Lights Work

Ultraviolet germicidal lights installed in your ductwork or air handler kill airborne biological contaminants on contact.

What UV Light Neutralizes:

• Bacteria and viruses
• Mold spores
• Biological contaminants
• Odor-causing microorganisms

Additional Benefits:

• Prevents mold growth on AC evaporator coils
• Improves system efficiency
• Eliminates musty odors
• Reduces maintenance needs

Ideal For:

• Homes with allergy or asthma sufferers
• Anyone with compromised immune systems
• Preventing illness transmission between family members
• Eliminating persistent musty smells

The Importance of Humidity Control

Optimal Humidity Levels: 30-50%

Too Low (Winter):

• Dry, irritated respiratory system
• Cracked lips and dry skin
• Damage to wood furniture and floors
• Increased static electricity
• Home feels colder than it is

Too High (Summer):

• Sticky, uncomfortable feeling
• Mold and mildew growth
• Dust mite proliferation
• Home feels warmer than it is
• Musty odors

Balanced Humidity Benefits:

• Maximum comfort year-round
• Better respiratory health
• Protected wood furnishings
• Energy savings (properly humidified air feels warmer in winter, dehumidified air feels cooler in summer)

Whole-Home vs. Portable Solutions

Why Whole-Home Systems Are Better

Portable Units:

• Work in one room only
• Need multiple units for whole home
• Require constant refilling and cleaning
• Take up floor space
• Inconsistent coverage

Whole-Home Systems:

• Treat all air passing through HVAC system
• Consistent air quality throughout entire home
• Automatic operation, no daily maintenance
• Invisible installation in ductwork
• More cost-effective long-term

The Bottom Line: Whole-home solutions cost more upfront but deliver better results with less hassle and lower long-term costs.

Professional Indoor Air Quality Assessment

Not sure which solutions you need? We offer comprehensive assessments.

What We Evaluate

Testing & Inspection:

• Humidity levels in multiple areas
• Ventilation effectiveness
• Mold and moisture problems
• Ductwork condition
• Current filtration effectiveness

Discussion:

• Health symptoms your family experiences
• Specific concerns (allergies, asthma, odors)
• Current comfort issues
• Your goals for improvement

Recommendations:

• Specific solutions for your home
• Prioritized by impact and value
• Clear explanation of benefits
• Honest, no-pressure guidance

You’ll understand exactly what you need and why.

Installation & Maintenance

Professional Installation

We Ensure:

• Proper equipment sizing for your home
• Optimal component placement
• Seamless HVAC system integration
• Thorough testing and verification
• Complete operating instructions

Simple Maintenance

Most indoor air quality equipment requires minimal maintenance:

• Filter changes: Every 3-12 months depending on type
• UV bulb replacement: Annually
• Humidifier cleaning: Annually during HVAC maintenance
• System inspection: During regular HVAC tune-ups

We remind you when maintenance is due and handle it efficiently.

Health Benefits You’ll Notice

While we can’t guarantee specific health outcomes, most families report:

Respiratory Improvements:

• Reduced allergy symptoms
• Fewer asthma flare-ups
• Less frequent colds and respiratory infections
• Easier breathing year-round

Comfort Enhancements:

• Better sleep quality
• No more dry winter air discomfort
• No more sticky summer feeling
• Fresher-smelling home

Cleanliness Benefits:

• Much less dust on surfaces
• Reduced cleaning frequency
• Elimination of musty odors
• Cleaner HVAC equipment

Quality of Life:

• More comfortable home environment
• Peace of mind about air safety
• Better health for your family

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do indoor air quality improvements cost?
Solutions range from $200 for upgraded filters to $2,000+ for comprehensive whole-home systems. We’ll explain options for every budget.

Will I notice a difference?
Most families notice improvements within days—less dust, fewer allergy symptoms, and better comfort.

Which solution should I choose?
It depends on your specific concerns. Our assessment identifies the best solutions for your situation.

Can I install these myself?
Some solutions (like upgraded filters) are DIY-friendly. Others (like UV lights and whole-home systems) require professional installation for safety and effectiveness.

Do these systems increase energy bills?
Most systems use minimal electricity. Many actually reduce energy costs by improving HVAC efficiency or reducing heating/cooling needs.

How often do I need maintenance?
Most equipment needs attention just once a year during regular HVAC maintenance

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Today

Ready to breathe easier at home? We’ll help you find the right solutions for your needs and budget.

Call (219) 258-7313 or contact us online for:

• Free indoor air quality assessment
• Expert solution recommendations
• Professional installation
• Ongoing maintenance support
• Honest, no-pressure guidance

Service Area

We proudly serve Valparaiso, Porter County, and Northwest Indiana:

• Valparaiso
• Portage
• Chesterton
• Porter
• Hobart
• Crown Point
• Lake County communities
• And surrounding area