Indoor air quality in San Mateo County
Stuffy, dusty or damp indoors? Start here.
The air in your house moves through your HVAC system, so the system is the place to fix it. We work on filtration, humidity control, ventilation and air purification.
What can improve the air quality in my home?
These do the work: filtration to catch dust and particles, humidity control to keep the air from being too dry or too damp, ventilation to bring fresh air in and push stale air out, and air purification for what the filter doesn't catch.
Which of them matters depends on what you notice. Dust on every surface, a musty smell, a house that feels clammy or static-dry, or stale air after a day with the windows shut each point at a different one.
What does each option do?
- Filtration. A better filter, or a filter cabinet in place of the thin one in the return, catches more of the dust and particles passing through the system.
- Humidity control. A humidifier adds moisture to dry winter air; a dehumidifier removes it from damp air. Either runs off the system so it covers the whole house.
- Ventilation. Mechanical ventilation brings controlled fresh air into a tightly sealed house, and bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans take moisture and smells out at the source.
- Air purification. Purifiers added to the system treat the air as it passes through, for odours and for what the filter alone doesn't catch.
We'll say which of these fit your house and which are not worth your money.
Will a better filter slow down my system?
It can, if you swap the filter without checking. A denser filter resists the air more, and a system already short of airflow will run hotter, cool or heat less and wear faster.
The fix is the right filter in the right place: a larger filter cabinet gives a dense filter more surface so air still gets through. We check the airflow in your system before we recommend one.
Do my ducts affect the air I breathe?
Yes. Ducts that leak in the attic or crawlspace can pull in dust and insulation fibres, and they lose the air you've paid to condition. Sealing and cleaning them often does more than an air purifier added on top.
A dryer that vents poorly can also push lint and moisture where it doesn't belong, so a clear vent is part of a healthy house.
Tell us what you notice at home
Call and describe it, or book a visit online.
Where do I start?
Start with what's cheap and fixes the most: a clean filter, a clear dryer vent, ducts that are sealed, and exhaust fans that run. Add humidity control if the house is too dry or damp, and purification if you still notice odours or particles.
A visit lets us look at the system, check the airflow and the filter, and suggest only what the house needs. Air quality products are easy to over-sell, and we'd rather you buy the one that works than a shelf of ones that don't.
Tell us what it's doing. We'll take it from there.
Call and describe the problem: the noise, the smell, the room that never warms up. Or book a visit online.
