Air quality
Indoor air quality in Ottawa
Ottawa homes spend half the year sealed up against the cold. That means dry air in winter, stale air in tight houses and dust that keeps coming back. We fix it at the furnace and the ducts, not with a plug-in gadget in every room.
- HRAI member
- TSSA affiliated
- Licensed technicians
- Free estimates
01Is it time?
Your home's air could use help if…
- 01 You get static shocks, dry skin or a scratchy throat all winter.
- 02 Windows fog up or drip with condensation on cold mornings.
- 03 Dust settles on furniture a day or two after you clean.
- 04 The house smells stale, or cooking smells linger for hours.
- 05 Someone in the home has allergies or asthma that flare up indoors.
- 06 Your home is newer or recently sealed up, and it feels stuffy.
02The install
What we look at
Good air comes down to three things: the right humidity, clean air and enough fresh air. We check all three before recommending anything.
Humidity readings
We measure indoor humidity and look for signs of too much or too little, such as condensation, cracking wood or static.
Filtration check
We look at your current filter, its rating and how well it seals in the furnace cabinet. A good filter that air can bypass doesn't do much.
Airflow and static pressure
Higher-rated filters add resistance. We measure static pressure so an upgrade doesn't starve the furnace or AC of air.
Ventilation review
We look at how fresh air gets into the house and how stale air and moisture leave, including bathroom and kitchen exhaust.
Equipment installed to suit
Humidifiers, filter cabinets and ventilators are tied into your existing system and controls, with drains and electrical done properly.
Settings and upkeep
We show you how to set humidity through the seasons and what needs changing or cleaning, and how often.
04Options
Common air quality upgrades
Most homes need one or two of these, not all of them. We'll recommend what your readings point to.
Better filtration
Best for: Dust, pet dander, pollen and allergies
A media filter cabinet holds a thicker, higher-rated filter that catches far more fine particles than a standard 1-inch filter, and needs changing less often.
Whole-home humidifier
Best for: Dry winter air, static and cracking woodwork
Mounted on the furnace, it adds moisture to the air as it's heated. Controlled properly, it keeps humidity comfortable without fogging the windows.
HRV or ERV ventilation
Best for: Newer, tight or stuffy homes
A heat or energy recovery ventilator swaps stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air while recovering much of the heat. It brings in fresh air without a big hit to the heating bill.
05How it works
From first call to first cold night
- 1
Call or book online
Tell us what you're noticing: dryness, dust, condensation, smells or allergies.
- 2
Home visit
We take readings, look at your furnace, filter, ducts and ventilation, and talk through what's going on.
- 3
Clear written quote
Our recommendation and the price in writing, with what each option will and won't fix.
- 4
Installation and setup
Most filtration and humidifier installs are done in a few hours. Ventilators take longer because of the ducting to outside.
What do air quality upgrades cost?
A filter cabinet upgrade is the simplest job. Humidifiers depend on the type and on running a water line and drain. HRVs and ERVs cost the most, because they need their own ducting to outdoors and sometimes to several rooms.
Ongoing costs matter too. Media filters need replacing once or twice a year, and humidifier pads usually once a season. We give you the price in writing before any work starts.
Rebates & financing
Most air quality equipment isn't covered by rebate programs. Ventilation is sometimes included when it's part of a larger energy-efficiency upgrade, and we'll check if that applies to your project.
Current programsWhat humidity should my home be in winter?
Around 30 to 40% for most of the winter. On the coldest days, below about -20°C, drop it to 25 to 30% to keep condensation off the windows. In summer, aim to stay below about 50%.
What MERV filter should I use?
For most homes, MERV 8 to 11 is a good balance of filtering and airflow. MERV 13 catches finer particles and suits allergy sufferers, but your system needs to handle the extra resistance. We check that before recommending one.
Why are my windows wet in the morning?
Humidity is too high for the outdoor temperature, or the windows are poorly insulated. Lower the humidifier setting on cold nights, run bathroom fans, and if it persists, ventilation is worth looking at.
What's the difference between an HRV and an ERV?
Both bring in fresh air and recover heat from the air they exhaust. An ERV also transfers some moisture, which helps keep winter air from getting too dry and summer air from getting too humid. Which one suits you depends on the house.
Do portable air purifiers help?
They can clean one room. A good filter on the furnace cleans air from the whole house every time the fan runs, which is usually more effective. Running the fan more often helps filtration too.
Will a humidifier cause mould?
Not if it's set properly. Mould grows where humidity stays high and surfaces are cold. Keeping winter humidity in the 30 to 40% range, and lower in a cold snap, avoids that. We set up the controls with you.
