Air Quality Check
Air Quality Check | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Harriman
Breathe easier in Harriman with HEP’s trusted experts on your side. Our team goes beyond traditional heating and cooling to pinpoint hidden pollutants, balance humidity, and optimize airflow, all while respecting your schedule and budget. From high-efficiency filtration to germicidal UV lights, we tailor solutions that protect your family’s health and keep energy bills in check.
Every service visit begins with a comprehensive assessment focused on ventilation and air quality. We measure particulate levels, inspect ductwork for leaks, and recommend targeted upgrades that make an immediate difference—no guesswork, just clear results you can feel. When you’re ready for cleaner, fresher indoor air, one call to HEP is all it takes.
FAQs
What does an indoor air quality check from your Harriman team include?
Our comprehensive assessment starts with a walk-through of your home or business to identify obvious pollutant sources and ventilation issues. We then place calibrated monitors that track particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity for a minimum of 24 hours. If moisture problems are suspected, we take infrared images and measure dew-point differentials. Samples for mold spores, pollen, and bacteria can also be sent to an independent laboratory. When the data are in, you receive a written report explaining every reading, how it compares with EPA and ASHRAE guidelines, and what corrective steps—filtration upgrades, humidity control, fresh-air ventilation, source removal—will have the greatest impact.
How often should I schedule an air quality test or ventilation inspection?
For most residences we recommend a full indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment every 2–3 years, or sooner if you notice unexplained health symptoms, remodel your home, install new furnishings, or experience water damage. Commercial buildings should be evaluated annually because higher occupancy loads and code requirements demand tighter control. In addition, HVAC equipment should be inspected each spring and fall; these tune-ups include filter checks, coil cleaning, blower adjustment, and verification that outside-air dampers are operating properly to maintain healthy ventilation rates.
What warning signs suggest that my indoor air quality might be poor?
Common red flags include persistent musty or chemical odors, visible dust accumulation shortly after cleaning, condensation on windows, uneven room temperatures, aggravated allergies, headaches, fatigue, nose or throat irritation, and worsening asthma symptoms indoors. If one area of the building feels stuffy while another is too dry, the ventilation balance is likely off. Any of these indicators justify a professional IAQ evaluation to pinpoint the root cause and prevent long-term health or structural damage.
How does routine HVAC maintenance improve indoor air quality in Harriman’s climate?
The Hudson Valley’s humid summers and cold, tightly sealed winters put HVAC systems under year-round stress. Seasonal maintenance keeps equipment clean and correctly balanced, which directly affects IAQ: • Filter replacement—High-MERV filters remove dust, dander, and pollen before they recirculate. • Coil and drain-pan cleaning—Eliminates microbial growth that can send spores into occupied spaces. • Blower calibration—Ensures proper airflow to avoid stagnant pockets where pollutants build up. • Refrigerant charge and combustion checks—Prevent carbon monoxide leaks and excessive humidity swings. • Damper testing—Confirms that the right amount of outdoor air is introduced for dilution ventilation without wasting energy.
What solutions do you offer for allergy or asthma sufferers in the Harriman area?
We begin with targeted source control—identifying and sealing air leaks that pull in pollen or vehicle exhaust, recommending low-VOC paints and furnishings, and managing indoor humidity to stay between 40% and 55%. Next we may install whole-house HEPA filtration or an electronic air cleaner in the return plenum to capture ultrafine particles down to 0.3 µm. UV-C germicidal lamps deactivate mold spores and viruses on coils, while an energy-recovery ventilator (ERV) supplies balanced fresh air without large heating or cooling penalties. For severe cases, we can design a dedicated clean-air zone with positive pressure and HEPA supply for bedrooms or home offices.
Is professional air-duct cleaning really necessary, and how frequently should it be done?
If ducts are properly sealed and filters are changed on schedule, heavy debris build-up is uncommon. Still, in homes with pets, recent renovations, water intrusion, or visible microbial growth, duct cleaning is prudent. NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) recommends an inspection every 2–3 years and a cleaning roughly every 5 years—or sooner if IAQ measurements show elevated dust or spore counts. Our Harriman technicians use negative-pressure vacuums, agitation brushes, and EPA-registered sanitizers so particles are captured safely instead of dislodged into the living space.