INDOOR AIR QUALITY • FILTRATION • VENTILATION • HUMIDITY • TORONTO & THE GTA
Indoor air quality solutions — start with the problem, not the product.
Better indoor air quality is not about installing every available IAQ product. Dust, fine particles, outdoor pollution, humidity, ventilation, filtration, duct contamination, duct leakage, airflow and activities inside the home can all affect indoor air. DAVESDUCTS looks at the concern and the mechanical system first, then helps determine which solution actually makes sense.
START WITH THE CONCERN
What are you trying to improve?
The same symptom can have several causes. A dusty home does not automatically need duct cleaning. A stuffy home does not automatically need a HEPA filter. Identifying the concern first helps narrow down the right mechanical or filtration strategy.
PARTICLES
Dust, pollen, smoke & fine particulate
Consider filtration performance, HVAC airflow, outdoor infiltration, duct condition and the source of the particles.
VENTILATION
Stale or poorly ventilated spaces
Consider whether the home has an appropriate method of controlled outdoor-air exchange and exhaust.
HUMIDITY
Too dry or too humid
Consider season, ventilation, moisture sources, building conditions and appropriate humidity-control equipment.
HVAC SYSTEM
Airflow, filtration & ductwork
Consider filter loading, duct leakage, damaged ductwork, system cleanliness and whether the equipment is moving air as intended.
ODOURS / SOURCES
Cooking, renovation, pets & other sources
Source control and ventilation may be more important than adding another filtration product.
SPECIFIC TARGET
PM2.5 or particulate-performance objective
Where a customer has a measurable particulate objective, baseline measurements and appropriate filtration design can help define the project.
IAQ WITHOUT THE GUESSWORK
Different indoor-air problems need different solutions.
DAVESDUCTS works across HVAC, ductwork, filtration and ventilation, allowing us to look beyond a single piece of IAQ equipment.
Whole-Home HEPA Filtration
Higher-efficiency particulate filtration designed around the home, HVAC equipment, duct system and desired airflow strategy.
HRV & ERV Ventilation
Mechanical ventilation for controlled outdoor-air exchange while recovering heat or energy between separated airstreams.
Humidity Control
Evaluate whether the concern is excessive dryness, excessive moisture or another building/ventilation condition before selecting equipment.
Air Duct Cleaning
Source-removal cleaning where eligible accumulated debris is present within the HVAC system and ductwork.
Duct Sealing & Repair
Address duct leakage, physical deficiencies and air-distribution problems when the duct system itself is contributing to the concern.
HRV & HEPA Maintenance
Maintain accessible ventilation and filtration components already installed in the home.
PARTICULATE FILTRATION
Concerned about PM2.5, smoke, dust or other airborne particles?
HEPA filtration is designed to capture very small airborne particles from the air that actually passes through the filter. But filter efficiency alone does not determine whole-home performance. Airflow, equipment capacity, duct integration, bypass, operating time and the rate at which particles enter or are generated inside the home all matter.
Filter Efficiency
The filtration media determines how efficiently particles are captured from the airstream passing through it.
Airflow & Air Changes
The system needs to move enough air through the filtration equipment for the application and filtration objective.
Source & Infiltration
Cooking, outdoor air, renovation work and other particle sources can continue adding particulate while filtration is operating.
PM2.5 OBJECTIVES
A specific indoor particulate target should be treated as a measurable objective — not a guarantee.
For applicable filtration projects, DAVESDUCTS can consider baseline and post-installation particulate measurements as part of evaluating system performance. Actual indoor concentrations remain affected by outdoor conditions, infiltration, occupancy and indoor particle-generating activities.
FILTRATION VS. VENTILATION
HEPA and HRV/ERV systems do different jobs.
FILTRATION
Remove particulate from air passing through the filter.
A whole-home HEPA system provides high-efficiency particulate filtration. It does not, by itself, provide the home with outdoor ventilation air.
VENTILATION
Exchange indoor air with outdoor air.
An HRV or ERV provides controlled ventilation while transferring heat or energy between separated incoming and outgoing airstreams. It is not a substitute for dedicated HEPA filtration.
THE RIGHT QUESTION
Does the home need better filtration, better ventilation — or both?
The answer depends on the concern, the building and the existing mechanical system.
HUMIDITY
Too dry and too humid are different IAQ problems.
Indoor moisture changes with outdoor weather, occupancy, ventilation and building conditions. The goal is not simply to add or remove moisture — it is to understand why the indoor environment is too dry or too humid and choose the appropriate response.
TOO DRY
Humidification may be appropriate.
During heating season, some homes may benefit from controlled humidification when indoor conditions are excessively dry.
TOO HUMID
Find the moisture source first.
High humidity can involve ventilation, occupant moisture, cooling-system operation, building conditions or water intrusion. Equipment should be selected only after the likely cause is considered.
THE HVAC & DUCT SYSTEM
Your IAQ equipment is only one part of the air-distribution system.
Filtration and ventilation equipment interact with ductwork, HVAC airflow and the building. DAVESDUCTS can evaluate these systems together instead of treating each component as an isolated product.
Duct Contamination
Where eligible debris has accumulated inside the HVAC system, source-removal cleaning may be appropriate.
Duct Leakage
Leaking ducts can affect air distribution and may draw air from or lose conditioned air to unintended spaces.
Poor Airflow
High resistance, undersized ductwork, restrictions or HVAC issues can affect the performance of filtration and comfort systems.
Dirty IAQ Equipment
HRV, ERV and HEPA components require appropriate inspection, cleaning and filter replacement.
SOURCE CONTROL
Not every indoor-air problem should be solved with HVAC equipment.
Reducing or controlling a contaminant at its source can be more effective than trying to capture everything after it enters the indoor air.
Cooking & Combustion
Use appropriate kitchen exhaust and ensure combustion equipment is properly installed, vented and maintained.
Renovation Dust
Contain construction areas and control dust at the source rather than relying only on the central HVAC filter.
Moisture
Water intrusion, leaks and persistent dampness should be corrected at the source rather than treated only with an IAQ accessory.
Cleaning Products & VOC Sources
Product selection, storage and ventilation can matter when odours or gaseous contaminants are the concern.
Garage & Outdoor Sources
Attached garages, wildfire smoke, traffic and other outdoor sources can affect the air entering a home.
Bathroom & Laundry Exhaust
Local exhaust systems should discharge moisture and contaminants outdoors through appropriate, functional ductwork.
SYMPTOM → INVESTIGATION
What might DAVESDUCTS look at?
Excessive Airborne Dust
Filtration, duct condition, HVAC airflow, infiltration and indoor particle sources.
PM2.5 Concern
Particulate measurements, HEPA filtration, system sizing, airflow and sources/infiltration.
Stale or Stuffy Air
Existing ventilation, HRV/ERV operation, exhaust systems and building conditions.
High Indoor Humidity
Ventilation, moisture sources, cooling-system operation and building conditions.
Very Dry Winter Air
Indoor humidity, ventilation, building leakage and whether controlled humidification is appropriate.
Uneven or Weak Airflow
HVAC equipment, filters, duct restrictions, leakage and duct design.
IMPORTANT
The symptom does not automatically determine the solution.
A dusty house does not automatically need duct cleaning, and a stuffy house does not automatically need a HEPA filter. The purpose of an IAQ assessment is to narrow down the actual problem before selecting equipment or services.
MEASURE WHEN MEASUREMENT MATTERS
Some IAQ objectives are better approached with data.
When a homeowner is trying to address a specific particulate concern rather than simply asking for “cleaner air,” measurements can help establish a baseline and provide useful information after a filtration change.
01 • BASELINE
Understand the starting point.
Measure applicable particulate conditions before the filtration strategy is changed.
02 • DESIGN
Match filtration to the application.
Consider building size, HVAC configuration, ductwork, airflow and the customer’s filtration objective.
03 • REVIEW
Evaluate the result.
Post-installation measurements can provide another data point when reviewing applicable filtration projects.
NO FALSE PROMISES
DAVESDUCTS does not promise that installing one IAQ product will maintain a specific particle concentration under every condition.
Outdoor air, infiltration, cooking, cleaning, occupancy and other indoor activities can continuously change measured particulate levels.
WHY DAVESDUCTS?
HVAC, ductwork, filtration and ventilation under one contractor.
An IAQ recommendation is more useful when the contractor can evaluate how the equipment interacts with the mechanical system instead of looking only at the product being sold.
HVAC Experience
Evaluate furnaces, air handlers, heat pumps and the mechanical equipment moving air through the home.
Duct-System Experience
Assess duct cleanliness, leakage, restrictions, repairs and air-distribution concerns.
Filtration Integration
Design and install whole-home HEPA systems around available airflow, space and duct configuration.
Ventilation
Evaluate HRV/ERV systems and how controlled outdoor-air exchange fits into the home’s IAQ strategy.
IAQ WITHOUT SCARE TACTICS
We don’t believe every home needs every indoor-air-quality product.
DAVESDUCTS does not recommend duct cleaning simply because a home is dusty. We do not recommend HEPA filtration as a substitute for correcting a moisture, ventilation or source problem. And we do not present IAQ equipment as medical treatment.
OUR APPROACH
Understand the concern. Evaluate the mechanical system. Recommend what makes sense.
Sometimes the answer is filtration. Sometimes it is ventilation, humidity control, duct cleaning, duct repair or source control. In some homes, the right recommendation may be a combination of measures.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY SOLUTIONS
Explore the DAVESDUCTS IAQ system.
HEPA Filtration
Residential, commercial and custom high-efficiency particulate filtration.
Air Duct Cleaning
Source-removal cleaning of eligible HVAC systems and ductwork.
IAQ Tips
Practical homeowner guidance for reducing indoor contaminant sources and maintaining the mechanical system.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY FAQ
Common questions about improving indoor air quality.
What is indoor air quality?
Indoor air quality describes conditions inside a building that can be affected by airborne particles, gases and odours, humidity, ventilation, combustion, moisture, HVAC operation and other indoor or outdoor sources.
What causes poor indoor air quality in a home?
Potential contributors include indoor particle sources, outdoor pollution and infiltration, inadequate ventilation, moisture, cooking, renovation activity, filtration limitations, combustion sources and HVAC or duct-system conditions.
How can I reduce PM2.5 inside my house?
Reducing indoor particle sources, limiting infiltration when outdoor air is heavily polluted and using appropriately sized high-efficiency particulate filtration can all be part of a PM2.5 strategy. The best approach depends on the home and the source of the particulate.
Does a HEPA filter remove PM2.5?
HEPA filtration is designed to capture very small airborne particles, including particles within the PM2.5 size range, from the air that passes through the filtration media. Whole-home results also depend on airflow, system operation, particle sources and infiltration.
What is the difference between HEPA filtration and an HRV?
HEPA filtration removes airborne particulate from the air passing through the filter. An HRV exchanges indoor and outdoor air while recovering heat between separated airstreams. They perform different functions.
Do I need an HRV if I already have a HEPA filter?
HEPA filtration does not provide outdoor ventilation air. Whether a home needs an HRV or ERV depends on the building, existing ventilation and the specific concern.
Does air duct cleaning improve indoor air quality?
Duct cleaning removes eligible accumulated debris from the HVAC system and ductwork. It can be appropriate where contamination is present, but it is not a universal solution for every indoor-air-quality complaint.
Will duct cleaning make my house less dusty?
It can remove accumulated material from eligible HVAC components and ducts, but household dust can also come from occupants, textiles, pets, outdoor air, renovation work and other sources. Persistent dust should not automatically be attributed to the ductwork.
What is the difference between a furnace filter and a whole-home HEPA system?
A furnace filter is installed in the HVAC airstream and must be compatible with the equipment’s airflow requirements. A dedicated whole-home HEPA system is typically a separate high-efficiency filtration appliance integrated with the duct system.
Can HEPA filtration remove ultrafine particles?
HEPA media captures particles across a range of sizes, including particles smaller than the commonly referenced test particle size. Actual indoor reduction depends on how much room air passes through the system, filter sealing, sources and infiltration.
Do air purifiers remove VOCs?
Particle filtration and gas-phase contaminant removal are different processes. Some filtration products incorporate activated carbon or other media intended for selected gases and odours, but performance depends on the contaminant, media and application.
Can DAVESDUCTS measure PM2.5 before and after HEPA installation?
For applicable filtration projects, particulate measurements can be incorporated to establish a baseline and provide post-installation information. Measurement conditions and project objectives should be established before the system is selected.
How do I know which IAQ system my house needs?
Start with the problem you are trying to solve. DAVESDUCTS can consider the home, HVAC equipment, ductwork, ventilation, humidity, filtration and the specific IAQ objective before recommending a solution.
Does DAVESDUCTS install whole-home HEPA systems in Toronto and the GTA?
Yes. DAVESDUCTS designs, supplies and installs whole-home HEPA filtration systems and can evaluate the HVAC and duct configuration before selecting the installation approach.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY • TORONTO & THE GTA
Tell us what you’re trying to improve.
Whether your concern is PM2.5, dust, filtration, ventilation, humidity, duct contamination or HVAC airflow, DAVESDUCTS can help determine the most appropriate next step instead of starting with a predetermined product.
