Is Your Home's Air Making You Uncomfortable? An IAQ Guide

The EPA notes indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air, and your HVAC system is the lungs of the house. If anyone in the home deals with allergies, dryness, or persistent dust, these are the levers:

• Filtration. A higher-MERV or media filter captures far more dust, dander, and pollen than a basic fiberglass filter — but it must be matched to your system's airflow.
• Humidity balance. Too dry (winter) causes irritation and static; too humid (summer) breeds mold and dust mites. Whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers fix both.
• Ventilation. Tight modern homes trap stale air; fresh-air ventilation and energy-recovery systems exchange it without wasting energy.
• Purification. UV and air-purification systems target microbial growth on the coil and in the airstream.

Where to start

An IAQ assessment looks at your filtration, humidity, and ductwork together rather than selling a single gadget. The right combination depends on your home and who lives in it.