Indoor air in a closed-up house carries dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander, and cooking byproducts. In Boise, wildfire smoke in late summer and winter inversions add outdoor pollution on top. Summit Heating & Air installs and services indoor air quality equipment throughout Boise and Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, and Kuna: media filter cabinets, electronic air cleaners, whole-home humidifiers, ultraviolet lights for the coil, and fresh air ventilation systems. We start with the question of what is bothering you. Dry skin and static in January point to humidity. Smoke and pollen point to filtration. Stale air in a tight newer home points to ventilation. Not every house needs every device, and we say so. Every product we install works with your existing furnace or air handler and is sized so it does not restrict airflow. We also check the duct system, because a leaking return pulls crawl space air into the house no matter what filter you use.
Signs your home's air needs attention
- Dust settles on surfaces within a day of cleaning
- Dry skin, nosebleeds, or static shocks all winter
- Smoke smell indoors during fire season even with windows closed
- Allergies or asthma act up more at home than elsewhere
- Musty smell from the vents when the system first starts
- Windows fog on the inside during cold snaps
Indoor air quality options we install
- Media filter cabinets that take a four or five inch pleated filter
- Whole-home bypass, fan-powered, or steam humidifiers chosen with hard water in mind
- Ultraviolet lights mounted at the indoor coil to control mold growth
- Electronic or high-efficiency air cleaners for smoke and fine particles
- Energy recovery ventilators for fresh air in tight newer homes
- Duct sealing and return air fixes so filtered air is what you breathe
How an indoor air quality visit works
- We talk through what you notice at home and when it happens, then inspect the furnace, filter, ducts, and returns.
- We measure static pressure and, where useful, humidity and particle levels, and explain what the numbers mean.
- You get a written proposal with the equipment that addresses your specific issue and a fixed price.
- We install the equipment, wire it to the furnace or thermostat, and set it up for the season.
- We show you how to change filters or water panels and when to expect the next service.
Indoor air quality pricing in Boise
A media filter cabinet installed on your furnace starts from $450, and a whole-home humidifier starts from $750. Ultraviolet coil lights and electronic air cleaners land in a similar range. Energy recovery ventilators cost more because they require new ducting to the outside. Cost depends on the equipment, how much duct modification is needed to fit it, whether a water line and drain are nearby for a humidifier, and the electrical work required. Steam humidifiers cost more than bypass units but handle larger homes and hard water better with a cleanable canister. We quote after seeing the furnace closet, since clearance drives most of the cost.
Air quality issues specific to Boise
Boise's outdoor air is usually clean, with two exceptions. Wildfire smoke from Idaho, Oregon, and California settles in the valley for days at a time in August and September, and winter inversions trap wood smoke and vehicle exhaust in January. Both push fine particles indoors through leaky ducts and open returns. The dry climate is the other issue. Indoor humidity in a heated Boise home can fall below 20 percent relative humidity in midwinter, which dries out skin, wood floors, and trim. Boise's water is moderately hard, and well water outside the city limits is often harder, so humidifiers need mineral-resistant water panels or a steam canister that can be descaled. Older homes with crawl space ducts also pull in soil moisture and dust.
Questions we get about this
What filter should I use during wildfire smoke?
A pleated filter rated MERV 11 to 13 captures most smoke particles. Check that your blower can handle it, since a thick, high-rated filter in a one-inch slot restricts airflow. A four or five inch media cabinet lets you run a higher rating without straining the system.
Do I need a humidifier in Boise?
Many homes do. Heated indoor air here often drops well below the comfortable range in winter, which causes static, dry skin, and gaps in hardwood floors. A whole-home humidifier holds a set level automatically. We size it to the house and check that the water supply is workable.
Will hard water ruin a humidifier?
It shortens the life of the water panel and scales up steam canisters. Boise water is moderately hard and well water outside the city is harder. We recommend replacing the panel every season and choosing a model designed for mineral buildup. A softener upstream helps.
Are UV lights worth it?
A UV light at the indoor coil keeps mold and biofilm from growing on the wet coil surface, which keeps airflow and odor under control. It does not filter particles or smoke. It is a good add-on for homes with musty startup smells or allergy concerns.
My new home feels stuffy. What is wrong?
Homes built in the last decade in Meridian are tight, and the same goes for newer subdivisions across the valley, so little outdoor air gets in on its own. An energy recovery ventilator brings in fresh air and exhausts stale air while keeping most of the heat. It is the usual fix.
Can you test the air in my house?
We measure temperature, humidity, and particle counts during the visit and compare them with outdoor readings. For mold or radon, we refer you to an independent testing service so the person recommending equipment is not the same person running the test.