How Can an HVAC System Improve Air Quality?

A: Mostly by pulling every cubic foot of air in the house through something that catches what's floating in it. Your filter does the bulk of that work, and in Oklahoma it works harder than it would almost anywhere else — red-dirt dust loads filters, blower wheels, and coils fast, and a loaded filter stops filtering and starts choking airflow.

Running the system also dries the air. When the AC or heat pump is cooling, moisture condenses on the coil and drains away, which is why a properly sized system feels less clammy in an Oklahoma August than an oversized one that short-cycles.

If filtration alone isn't cutting it, the common upgrades and what they run:

• Filter upgrade: $200-$500
• UV light: $400-$900
• Whole-home humidifier: $700-$1,500
• Dehumidifier: $1,800-$3,500
• Duct cleaning: $400-$800; duct sealing $800-$2,500

Leaky ducts in a hot attic pull dust straight into the airstream, so sealing sometimes does more for indoor air quality than any add-on device. Not sure which applies to your house? See pricing or call 405-420-4895.