Air Quality & Ventilation (H05)
Indoor air quality affects health and comfort – but modern tight homes trap pollutants without proper ventilation.
This BidScope guides you through IAQ systems: mechanical ventilation (HRV and ERV for fresh air exchange), air filtration (MERV ratings and filter types), whole-house dehumidification (basement moisture control), UV air purifiers (kill mold and bacteria), and duct cleaning where needed.
Learn ventilation requirements: Utah homes need fresh air exchange, ASHRAE 62.2 standard requires mechanical ventilation in tight homes, HRV (heat recovery ventilator) recovers heat from exhaust air, ERV (energy recovery ventilator) recovers heat and moisture.
Understand filtration: MERV ratings measure filter effectiveness (MERV 8 standard, MERV 11-13 better filtration, MERV 16+ for allergies/asthma), HEPA filters remove 99.97% of particles but restrict airflow.
Master specific IAQ solutions: radon mitigation in basement-heavy Utah areas (sub-slab depressurization most common), CO monitors in homes with combustion appliances, VOC reduction from building materials and furnishings.
Navigate whole-house fans for natural ventilation.
Learn source control – removing pollutants beats filtering them: proper venting of combustion appliances, exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens (code-required minimum CFM by room size), fresh air intake for combustion equipment.
Understand humidity control: Utah’s dry climate rarely needs dehumidification except basements, humidification in winter prevents static and dry air (whole-house humidifiers integrated with HVAC), relative humidity 30-50% ideal.
Know testing and monitoring: indoor air quality testing for baseline, radon testing (EPA recommends all homes), CO detector placement (every level plus near bedrooms), temp and humidity monitors.
Calculate typical costs: ERV/HRV $1,500-4,000 installed, whole-house UV $500-1,500, radon mitigation $800-2,500, air quality testing $300-800.
This tool ensures your home’s air is clean, fresh, and healthy.
What’s Included:
- IAQ system types (ventilation, filtration, dehumidification, UV, monitoring)
- Mechanical ventilation (HRV, ERV for fresh air exchange)
- Heat recovery ventilator (HRV recovers heat from exhaust)
- Energy recovery ventilator (ERV recovers heat and moisture)
- ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation standard
- Fresh air requirements for tight homes
- Balanced ventilation (supply and exhaust)
- Air filtration and MERV ratings
- MERV rating scale (1-16, higher = better filtration)
- MERV 8 filters (standard furnace, captures large particles)
- MERV 11-13 filters (better filtration, pollen, mold spores)
- MERV 16+ filters (allergens, asthma, fine particles)
- HEPA filtration (99.97% at 0.3 microns, airflow restriction)
- Electrostatic and electronic air cleaners
- UV air purifiers (kill mold, bacteria, viruses in ducts)
- UV lamp placement and maintenance
- Whole-house dehumidification (basement moisture control)
- Dehumidifier sizing and placement
- Humidity control in Utah’s dry climate
- Whole-house humidifiers for winter (static, dry air prevention)
- Relative humidity 30-50% ideal
- Source control (remove pollutants rather than filter)
- Combustion appliance venting (furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces)
- Fresh air intake for combustion equipment
- Exhaust fans (bathrooms, kitchens, code requirements)
- Bathroom exhaust CFM requirements by room size
- Kitchen exhaust (range hoods, ducted to exterior)
- Radon mitigation (sub-slab depressurization most common)
- Radon testing (EPA recommends all homes)
- Radon levels and action threshold (4 pCi/L)
- Carbon monoxide detection
- CO detector placement (every level, near bedrooms)
- VOC reduction (volatile organic compounds from materials)
- Low-VOC materials and finishes
- Air changes per hour (ACH) and building tightness
- Blower door testing
- Whole-house fans for natural ventilation
- Indoor air quality testing
- Baseline IAQ assessment
- Specific pollutant testing (mold, VOCs, particulates)
- Temp and humidity monitoring
- Smart IAQ monitors
- Duct cleaning when needed (visible mold or debris only)
- Cost factors ($1,500-4,000 ERV/HRV, $500-1,500 UV, $800-2,500 radon, $300-800 testing)
- Finding IAQ specialists
- Indoor air quality consultants
