Indoor Air Quality Services in Bossier City
Indoor air quality in a Bossier City home comes down to three things your HVAC system controls: what's in the air, how damp it is, and what's growing in the ducts. We add UV lights, air purifiers, better filters and humidity control to the system you already have, for any brand.
- 24/7 emergency service
- Locally owned since 2010
- Licensed and insured
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Trane and Mitsubishi dealer
- Louisiana commercial contractor license CL.61528
Why Indoor Air Quality Is Harder in Bossier City
North Louisiana is humid most of the year, and humid air feeds mold and dust mites. Spring brings heavy pine and oak pollen, and summer keeps the house closed up with the AC running for months. All of the air in your house passes through the HVAC system several times a day, so that's the best place to clean it.
UV Lights for the Coil and Ducts
The indoor coil is cold and wet every time the AC runs, which makes it a perfect place for mold and bacteria to grow. That growth is where a lot of "dirty sock" and musty smells come from.
A UV light mounted inside the air handler shines on the coil and the drain pan and keeps that growth from taking hold. It runs quietly in the background, and the bulb usually gets changed about once a year.
Right now there are two UV light deals in our HVAC coupons. If you're getting a new duct system, the UV light comes free with it. If you're keeping the ducts you have, $1,975 per system covers duct cleaning plus a UV light installed.
Air Purifiers and Better Filters
A standard 1-inch filter protects the equipment, but it doesn't catch much of what you breathe. There are better options:
- A higher-rated filter. A MERV 8 to 11 filter catches far more pollen and dust. Go much higher in a 1-inch slot and you can choke off the airflow, so ask first.
- A media filter cabinet. A 4- or 5-inch filter installed at the air handler. It catches more and only needs changing once or twice a year.
- A whole-home air purifier. We install the REME HALO, which mounts in the ductwork and treats the air every time the fan runs, without a box sitting in every room.
If someone in the house has allergies or asthma, start here, since the right rating matters as much as regular air filter replacement.
Humidity Control
When a house feels humid with the AC running, the system usually isn't running long enough, or isn't moving enough air over the coil, to pull moisture out of the air. An oversized system, a dirty filter or coil, a fan stuck on, a clogged drain or leaky ducts can all be the cause.
Inside, you want humidity between about 40 and 50 percent. Above 60, mold, mildew and dust mites take off and the house feels clammy even at 74 degrees.
Your AC removes moisture as it cools, but only when it runs long enough. An oversized unit cools the house fast, shuts off, and leaves the moisture behind. Before adding equipment, we check that. If the AC is sized right and the house is still damp, a whole-home dehumidifier connected to the ductwork does the job without buckets to empty. That's common in lake houses and homes near the bayous.
Quick checks before you call:
- Set the thermostat fan to Auto, not On. With the fan on all the time, moisture on the coil can blow back into the house.
- Replace a dirty filter.
- Check that the vents are open.
- Look at the visible end of the drain line for standing water. Don't open the indoor unit.
If the house is still clammy after that, the cause may be the size of the system or the ducts, and the next step is a tech visit to check the run time and airflow.
Clean Ducts
Ducts collect dust, pet hair and construction debris, and leaky ducts in a hot attic pull in insulation and attic dust. Air duct cleaning clears out what's built up, and air duct repair seals the leaks that let it in. Cleaning without sealing just means the dust comes back.
Signs Your Indoor Air Needs Help
- A musty smell when the AC kicks on
- Dust settles on furniture a day or two after you clean
- Allergies are worse inside than out
- Windows sweat, or the house feels sticky even when it's cool
- Visible dark spots around the supply vents
Indoor Air Quality Questions
Why does my AC smell musty when it turns on?
That musty smell when the AC starts usually comes from moisture and mold or bacteria growing on the indoor coil, in the drain pan, or in the ducts. Replace the air filter and look at the visible end of the drain line for standing water. Don't open the indoor unit. If the smell stays, call us at (318) 459-7575 and a tech can check the coil, the drain pan and the ducts.
If you smell hot plastic or something electrical, or you see smoke, turn the system off at the thermostat and call us. If there is smoke or fire, get everyone out and call 911. A faint dusty smell the first time you run a furnace or heat pump in heating mode after a long break can be normal and should fade.
Do UV lights really help?
For keeping the coil and drain pan clean, yes. They stop mold and bacteria from growing where the air is cold and wet. They're less useful for killing germs in the moving air, so we don't sell them as a cure-all.
Will a better filter hurt my system?
It can, if the filter is too restrictive for the system. We check the static pressure and recommend a filter your blower can handle.
Can you test the air in my house?
On a visit, our tech can look at your airflow, your filter fit and the coil and ducts for growth, then tell you whether the fix is a UV light, a better filter, humidity control or duct work.
Do you do this in Shreveport too?
Yes. We do indoor air quality work in Bossier City, Shreveport, Benton, Haughton, Blanchard and the rest of the towns we serve.
Breathe Easier at Home
Call (318) 459-7575 and tell us what you're noticing. We'll start with the simplest fix. If it's time for AC maintenance, we'll check the coil and drain while we're there.