IAQ

Breathe Easier by Eliminating Indoor Pollutants and Allergens

Persistent allergies, asthma flare-ups, and lingering odors in your home often point to poor indoor air quality that standard furnace filters simply cannot resolve. Contact us today to schedule comprehensive air quality testing or ask about our flexible financing options for whole-home solutions.

Living in Colorado means dealing with specific environmental challenges, from dry winters to pollen-heavy springs, all of which infiltrate your living space. If you notice excessive dust accumulation or respiratory issues, your HVAC system requires an upgrade beyond temperature control. Veteran Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric provides advanced air quality systems designed to scrub, humidify, and purify the air you breathe every day.

• Eliminate allergens, viral particles, and volatile organic compounds with advanced purification systems.
• Achieve cleaner indoor air and better long-term respiratory health with professional IAQ testing and targeted solutions.
• Enjoy peace of mind with quick, effective installation service and routine air quality maintenance.

Enjoy hassle-free service with guaranteed results and flexible financing options.

Comprehensive Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Colorado Homes

The air inside a home is often up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Modern homes are built to be energy-efficient, meaning they are tightly sealed to trap heat during freezing winters and keep cool air in during summer. While this saves on energy bills, it traps pollutants, moisture imbalances, and biological growth inside the ductwork and living areas. Effective management of indoor air quality (IAQ) requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses particulate matter, humidity levels, and biological contaminants.

Whole-Home Humidifiers

The arid climate in this region causes humidity levels to drop significantly, especially during winter months when heating systems are running constantly. Low humidity dries out mucous membranes, making residents more susceptible to colds and flu. It also causes wood furniture and flooring to crack and creates uncomfortable static electricity.

• We install bypass and steam humidifiers directly into your central HVAC system.
• These units automatically monitor and adjust moisture levels to maintain an optimal range between 35% and 50%.
• Proper humidity control reduces dust movement and protects both your health and your home’s structural integrity.

Advanced Media Air Cleaners and Filtration

Standard one-inch filters are designed primarily to protect the furnace equipment, not the people breathing the air. To capture microscopic particles like pet dander, pollen, and fine dust, higher-efficiency filtration is necessary.

• We upgrade systems to accommodate thick media air cleaners with high MERV ratings.
• These filters provide a larger surface area, capturing up to 98% of airborne particles without restricting airflow to the furnace.
• This solution is critical for households with pets or family members suffering from seasonal allergies.

UV Germicidal Lights

Biological contaminants such as mold spores, bacteria, and viruses thrive in the dark, damp environment of an AC coil or condensate pan. Filtration captures solids, but ultraviolet energy is required to sterilize biological threats.

• UV lights are installed within the ductwork or near the coil to scramble the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them unable to reproduce.
• This technology helps keep the HVAC system clean, improving efficiency and preventing the "dirty sock" syndrome smell often associated with bacterial growth.
• Hospitals use this technology to sterilize operating rooms, and we bring that same level of sanitation to residential homes.

Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)

Because homes are sealed tightly, stale air gets trapped, and fresh air cannot enter without opening windows, which effectively ruins energy efficiency. An ERV allows for fresh air exchange without losing thermal energy.

• These systems swap stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while transferring heat and moisture to the incoming stream.
• This process dilutes concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from cleaning products, off-gassing furniture, and cooking fumes.
• ERVs are particularly effective in newer construction homes throughout Colorado where envelope sealing is maximized.

The Installation and Assessment Process

Implementing the right air quality solution is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Different homes have different pollutant loads, duct configurations, and occupant sensitivities. Our approach ensures that the equipment selected actually solves the specific problems identified during the initial consultation.

• Initial Air Quality Analysis: The process begins with an assessment of the current indoor environment. We utilize professional-grade monitors to detect particle counts, humidity levels, and the presence of VOCs. Technicians also inspect the ductwork for dust buildup or leaks that might be pulling in dirty air from attics or crawlspaces.

• System Sizing and Selection: Once the data is collected, we recommend specific equipment. An oversized humidifier can cause condensation and mold, while an undersized unit will fail to combat the dry air. We calculate the exact requirements based on the square footage of the home and the capacity of the existing blower motor.

• Integration with Existing HVAC: Our technicians cut into the supply or return plenums to seamlessly integrate the new equipment. This often involves sheet metal fabrication to ensure an airtight fit. For electrical components like UV lights or electronic air cleaners, we run dedicated circuits or hardwire into the furnace board to ensure the IAQ systems cycle in tandem with the blower fan.

• Calibration and Testing: After mechanical installation, we calibrate the controls. This includes setting humidistats, testing UV lamp intensity, and verifying pressure drops across new filtration media to ensure the furnace does not overheat. We verify that airflow remains consistent across all registers in the home.

• User Training: We walk the homeowner through the operation of the new system. This includes how to adjust humidity settings based on outdoor temperatures, how to read maintenance indicators, and the schedule for replacing UV bulbs or media filters.

Determining When to Upgrade vs. Maintain

Homeowners often wonder if their current strategy of buying improved disposable filters is enough, or if a significant equipment upgrade is required. While basic maintenance is essential, there are clear indicators when a repair or simple filter change is insufficient to protect the home’s air quality.

Signs You Need a System Upgrade

• Persistent Illness: If family members experience recurring sinus infections, headaches, or allergy symptoms that disappear when they leave the house, the home environment is the likely culprit. Standard filters cannot stop viruses or VOCs; an upgrade to UV or purification technology is necessary.
• Visible Mold Growth: If mold is visible on vents or around the AC unit, simply cleaning it off is a temporary fix. The presence of mold indicates a humidity control failure or biological contamination within the system that requires a permanent remediation solution like UV lights or whole-home dehumidification.
• Excessive Dusting Required: If you dust your home and surfaces are covered again within 24 hours, your current filtration system is failing to capture circulating particulate matter. Upgrading to a high-MERV media cabinet prevents this continuous cycle.

The Limits of Portable Units

Many residents try to solve these issues with portable room purifiers or humidifiers. While helpful for a single room, these units cannot address the air quality of the entire structure. They are often noisy, require frequent refilling, and do not treat the air circulating through the central ducts. Veteran Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric recommends whole-home solutions because they treat 100% of the air volume, ensuring consistent quality in every room without cluttering living spaces with portable appliances.

Maintenance Considerations

If you already have IAQ equipment, we assess whether it can be repaired. Older humidifiers often suffer from solenoid valve failures or mineral scaling. If the unit is over 10 years old, replacement is usually more cost-effective than repair due to the availability of parts and the efficiency gains of modern models. However, if a relatively new UV light is not working, a simple bulb replacement or ballast repair is typically all that is needed.

Local Climate Factors Impacting Air Quality

Operating HVAC equipment in this region requires specific attention to environmental factors that do not affect other parts of the country. The altitude and geography play a significant role in how indoor air quality must be managed.

• Low Humidity and Altitude: The combination of high altitude and low humidity creates an environment that accelerates dehydration. Wood floors, musical instruments, and antique furniture are at high risk of warping or cracking without supplemental humidification. More importantly, the dry air allows viruses to remain airborne longer than in humid environments, increasing transmission rates in the home.

• Wildfire Season and Particulates: During late summer and fall, smoke from regional wildfires frequently settles in the valleys. This fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate standard filters and enter the bloodstream. Homes in this area require filtration systems capable of capturing sub-micron particles to maintain a safe indoor environment during smoke events.

• Winter Inversions: In winter, temperature inversions can trap pollutants near the ground, leading to poor outdoor air quality. When this occurs, opening windows for "fresh air" actually introduces more pollutants into the home. Mechanical ventilation with filtration (ERVs) becomes the only safe way to oxygenate the home during these periods.

• Utility and Code Compliance: Local building codes dictate specific requirements for integrating new electrical components into HVAC systems. All installations must meet safety standards regarding circuit loads and wiring methods. Furthermore, local utility companies often offer rebates for installing high-efficiency equipment, including smart thermostats that control IAQ accessories. We ensure all equipment meets the criteria for available incentives and complies with municipal safety regulations.

Why Professional Service Matters

Improving indoor air quality is a technical discipline that bridges the gap between mechanical engineering and environmental health. It is not a DIY task. Incorrectly installed humidifiers can leak water into the furnace, causing catastrophic failure. Improperly sized filters can suffocate the blower motor, leading to frozen coils or cracked heat exchangers.

We employ NATE-certified technicians who have undergone rigorous training in airflow dynamics and pollutant control. This certification ensures that every technician understands the physics of air movement and the biological factors of indoor contaminants. When we install a system, we verify that it does not negatively impact the static pressure of your existing HVAC unit, preserving the longevity of your heating and cooling equipment.

Warranties are another critical component of professional service. Manufacturer warranties on expensive IAQ equipment are often voided if the unit is not installed by a licensed professional. We provide labor warranties that run alongside manufacturer parts warranties, ensuring that if an issue arises, you are not left covering the cost of repairs.

Our team focuses on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes; see our reviews. We understand that every home in Colorado has a unique footprint and exposure profile. By choosing professional installation, you ensure that your investment results in measurable improvements to your air quality, reducing asthma triggers, protecting your property from dryness, and creating a cleaner, healthier living environment for your family.

Book Service Now

VSecure your energy independence and upgrade your home’s infrastructure today. Contact Veteran Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric to schedule your site evaluation and begin the design process.