What is indoor air quality (IAQ)?
Indoor air quality is the combination of particulates (dust, pollen, smoke), humidity, and ventilation in your home's air. Your HVAC system is the lever for all three: the filter captures particulates (rated by MERV), a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier manages moisture, and controlled ventilation brings in fresh air without wasting energy.
When should you address IAQ?
If anyone in the home has allergies or asthma, if you notice persistent dust, dryness in winter or stickiness in summer, or musty smells from the vents, IAQ is worth addressing. Tight, well-sealed homes especially benefit from intentional ventilation.
- Dust returns within a day of cleaning
- Winter static shocks and cracked wood (too dry) or summer clamminess (too humid)
- Allergy or asthma symptoms that are worse indoors
- Musty or stale odors when the system runs
What goes wrong (failure modes)?
The most common mistake is jamming a high-MERV filter into a system that can't move air through it, which starves the blower and hurts both comfort and equipment life. Others: ignoring humidity entirely, or adding air-cleaning gadgets that don't match the home. IAQ fixes should be matched to your system's airflow and your actual problem.
How Degenhardt approaches it
We assess filtration, humidity, and ductwork together, then recommend the right MERV level, humidifier/dehumidifier, or filtration upgrade for your system's airflow — not a one-size box. Our sheet-metal background means we can correct the duct issues that often underlie IAQ complaints.
Proof: family-owned since 1984; NATE-certified, Sheet Metal Workers' Local 36 union-trained technicians who assess filtration, humidity, and ductwork together; free, no-obligation written estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Most homes do well with MERV 8–13: high enough to capture fine dust and pollen, low enough not to choke airflow. Going higher requires confirming your blower and duct system can handle the resistance — we check that before recommending it.
Many do. Winters here dry indoor air enough to cause static, cracked woodwork, and irritated sinuses. A whole-home humidifier tied into your furnace holds a comfortable level automatically. In summer the opposite problem — humidity — is handled by a correctly sized AC or a dehumidifier.
They can help in the right situation (coil cleanliness, specific air concerns), but they're not a cure-all and shouldn't replace good filtration and airflow. We'll tell you honestly whether it fits your home.