Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality Solutions in North San Diego County
Breathe cleaner. Live healthier. Feel better.
Did you know that the air inside your home can be 2–5 times more polluted than the air outside, according to the EPA. At NextWave Heating and Air, we offer advanced indoor air quality solutions that work with your HVAC system to remove dust, allergens, pet dander, mold spores, odors, bacteria, and airborne viruses.
Our approach and solutions don't just mask the problem of poor indoor air quality, we figure out the problem and give you the solution. Some companies will start with installing an Ionizer or UV lights to clean your home's air, but that isn't where we start. Every home has its own unique profile and must be analyzed to maximize its efficiency and performance. Most hvac systems have excessive air leaks and inefficiencies that are causing unnecessary contaminants to enter your home and not getting filtered out.
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It doesn't start with your equipment and ducts
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IAQ Starts With the Home — Not Just the HVAC System
Most people think that indoor air quality begins with their HVAC equipment or ductwork — but in reality, air quality issues often start elsewhere.
Before air ever reaches your filter or vents, it's affected by your home's structure, habits, and environment:
🌬️ Air Leaks & Insulation Gaps
Air can enter your home through attics, crawl spaces, wall voids, and door frames. If these areas are dusty, moldy, or poorly sealed, they can introduce unfiltered pollutants into your living space before your HVAC system even gets a chance to clean it.
🧱 Building Materials & VOCs
Paint, flooring, adhesives, and furniture can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — invisible chemicals that can irritate your eyes, lungs, and immune system over time. These emissions don’t come from your HVAC — they’re released directly into the air you breathe.
🐾 Pets, Cooking, and Daily Life
Pet dander, smoke, moisture from showers, cleaning chemicals, and even cooking odors all add to indoor pollution. These particles build up in the air long before they reach a filter or purifier.
💨 Inadequate Ventilation
Many homes, especially newer ones, are tightly sealed for energy efficiency. Without proper ventilation, indoor air becomes stale and filled with moisture, carbon dioxide, and other contaminants. HVAC systems alone can't solve this — they need support from ERVs, HRVs, or fresh air intakes.
✅ What This Means for You
To truly improve your air quality, we take a whole-home approach that looks beyond just your ductwork or equipment:
We identify sources of contamination and stagnation
Recommend proper filtration, ventilation, and humidity control
Offer air purification upgrades that treat the air as it moves through your home
Help you understand how to reduce pollutants at the source
Clean air isn’t just about changing your filter — it’s about how your home breathes. And that’s where we come in.
Filtration
Your system's air filters are your home’s first line of defense against dust, allergens, pet dander, and airborne particles. There are a few different types of filters ranging from Merv 8 to merv 13 as well as carbon. We install MERV and HEPA-rated filtration to help trap harmful pollutants and keep your indoor air clean, healthy, and breathable.
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Evaporator coil and air handler
Over time, your system may become dirty and harbor harmful contaminants, particularly your evaporator coil. If your evaporator coil becomes dirty, it can potentially be a breeding ground for harmful microbiology. This is a sign of poor filtration or a system that is not sealed up well enough. If your system ends up requiring a cleaning, we won't just stop at cleaning the system, but we will find out why it got dirty and give you solutions.
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Indoor Air Quality FAQs
❓What is indoor air quality and why is it important?
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the cleanliness and healthiness of the air inside your home. Poor IAQ can contribute to allergies, asthma, fatigue, respiratory illness, and even long-term health issues. We help improve IAQ by filtering, purifying, and ventilating the air you breathe every day.
❓How do I know if my home has poor air quality?
Common signs include dust buildup near vents, musty odors, increased allergy symptoms, frequent headaches, or feeling tired at home. If you notice these, it’s time for an IAQ assessment. We offer in-home evaluations and custom solutions.
❓What are the best ways to improve indoor air quality?
The most effective approach includes:
- Upgrading to MERV or HEPA-rated filters
- Installing a UV air purifier or electronic air cleaner
- Improving ventilation with an ERV or HRV system
- Addressing humidity levels
- Sealing duct leaks and minimizing pollutants at the source
❓Do air purifiers really work?
Yes — especially whole-home air purifiers that are installed directly in your HVAC system. They trap or neutralize dust, bacteria, smoke, mold spores, and airborne viruses far more effectively than portable room units.
❓How often should I change my air filter?
Typically every 3 to 6 months, but it depends on your system, filter type, and household activity (pets, smoking, etc.). We offer maintenance plans that include filter changes and reminders.
❓Is a UV light air purifier safe for my family?
Yes — UV-C air purifiers are safely installed inside your air handler or ductwork, where they target airborne pathogens without exposing people or pets to direct UV light. They’re a great option for boosting home hygiene.
❓What’s better: portable air purifiers or whole-house systems?
Whole-home systems are much more effective for treating the air throughout your house. Portable units are limited to one room and often miss allergens or pollutants that circulate through your ductwork.
❓Can indoor air quality affect my HVAC system?
Absolutely. Dirty air can clog your filters and coils, reduce airflow, and strain your HVAC system — leading to higher energy bills and more frequent repairs. Cleaner air means a more efficient system.
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