Indoor Air Quality Services in Massachusetts

FAQs

• The Importance of Air Quality

  As a homeowner, you may not be aware of the technology available to you to help relieve or virtually eliminate common side effects of bad indoor air quality, such as:

  • Seasonal allergies
  • Asthma symptoms
  • Cold or flu exposure
  • Mold formation
  • Dry air

  If you deal with chronic fatigue, headaches, coughing or sneezing, your home’s air quality could be the culprit. That’s why the indoor air quality (IAQ) experts at Heritage Home Service are here to help you design a system customized to your exact air quality needs.

• Heritage’s Indoor Air Quality Solutions

  Heritage Home Service provides Massachusetts customers with the following whole-home indoor air quality solutions:

  • Whole home air filtration
  • ERV or HRV air exchangers
  • UV light air purification
  • Electrostatic air purification
  • Ionic air purification
  • Whole home humidification
  • Whole home dehumidification

• Air Filtration Systems

  A good air filtration system can clean up a lot of the contaminants in your home, up to 99% in some cases. But, here’s the important part: it’s better to get help from a professional HVAC expert. They can pick the right filter for you and install it correctly to make sure you aren’t accidentally putting strain on your heating and cooling system.

  Why Isn’t My Existing Air Filter Good Enough?

  Many homeowners assume their current HVAC filter is sufficient to clean your air. In reality, your air filter is designed to remove debris from the system itself, not to make the air you breathe cleaner. An air filtration system, on the other hand, uses materials that can trap tiny particles like pollen and dirt before they get into your house, giving you an extra layer of protection from indoor air pollution.

• Air Purification Systems

  Instead of buying a store-bought air purifier that barely makes a difference, consider a whole-home air purification system installed by our professional IAQ specialists.

  • UV Air Purification: UV air purifiers use ultraviolet light technology to kill bacteria and viruses that pass through its filter.
  • Electrostatic air purification: Electrostatic purifiers use static electricity to grab onto dirt, dander, pollen and other airborne particles like a magnet.
  • Ionic air purification: Air ionizers release ions that are attracted to airborne particles. This causes air pollutants to clump together and fall onto surfaces where they can be cleaned up.

  With decades of experience in the industry, our technicians can help you choose the right type of system for your budget and your existing HVAC equipment.

• Why Air Pollution is Worse Inside Your Home

  Homeowners in Massachusetts spend a lot of time indoors, especially in the winter. The truth is, indoor air quality is often 2–5 times worse than outdoors. This happens because we trap pollutants inside by keeping the windows and doors closed. The quality of your indoor air boils down to how often your home gets new air from outside, also known as your “air exchange rate”.

  With windows open, your home gets four to five fresh air changes per hour. But with windows closed, this drops to just one or two air changes per hour. This means that your family is frequently exposed to higher concentrations of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from off-gassing of building materials, carpet, flooring, and even household chemicals. Pollen, dust, and pet dander also get trapped inside, which is especially tough for family members with allergies and asthma.

  Of course, we can’t keep our windows open all the time, so we sometimes have to give up on air quality. That’s why we recommend our customers use IAQ systems to make the air inside better. These products can make a big difference in how fresh and comfy your home feels while also saving energy from your heating and cooling system. With these products, you can dramatically improve your indoor air quality and comfort while conserving energy used by your heating and cooling system.

  Can Store-Bought Air Purifiers Help?

  Any sort of air quality treatment is better than nothing. Portable air filtration and dehumidification units can solve some issues for smaller spaces, but a whole home system can solve several problems at once with greater results. If you have tried portable units before and weren’t satisfied with the results, a whole-home solution may be right for you.

  It can be hard to imagine how much better it feels to breathe cleaner air until you actually experience it. When deciding whether an air purifier is worth it, the best place to start is to track your symptoms indoors and discuss your experiences with a licensed service provider.

• Why is indoor air quality important for Massachusetts homeowners?

  Massachusetts homes are often sealed tightly against cold weather, which can trap pollutants like dust, mold spores, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds indoors. Poor indoor air quality can aggravate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions, making air quality solutions essential for a healthy home.

• What indoor air quality services does Heritage offer?

  Heritage provides a full range of indoor air quality solutions, including air purifier installation, whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers, UV germicidal lights, ventilation improvements, and duct cleaning. We assess your home’s specific needs and recommend the most effective combination of solutions.

• How do I know if I have poor indoor air quality?

  Signs of poor indoor air quality include persistent dust buildup, musty or stale odors, increased allergy or asthma symptoms, excessive humidity or condensation on windows, and frequent headaches or fatigue. Heritage can perform an indoor air quality assessment to identify the specific contaminants affecting your home.

• Do whole-home air purifiers really make a difference?

  Yes, whole-home air purification systems are significantly more effective than portable units because they treat all the air circulating through your heating and cooling system. They can remove up to 99% of airborne particles, allergens, bacteria, and viruses from your entire home.

• How does indoor humidity affect comfort and health?

  Low humidity during Massachusetts winters can cause dry skin, respiratory irritation, and static electricity, while excess humidity in summer promotes mold growth and dust mites. Heritage installs whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers that work with your HVAC system to maintain optimal humidity levels year-round.