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Last Revised: 1/10/2024
Have you ever walked into a room and felt an immediate sense of freshness? Or on the other hand, maybe you’ve been stuck in a space that felt damp or stifling and filled with odors, leaving you wondering: Can indoor air quality really make that much of a difference?
In short, the right indoor air quality (IAQ) can shift your mood to relaxed and at ease, while the wrong IAQ can add to stress and lead to irritability.
It shouldn’t come as a shock that the quality of the air inside your home has a profound impact on your health, comfort, and even your energy levels. Investing in clean, high-quality air isn’t a luxury – it’s a practical choice to prioritize your all-around well-being.
But just how affordable is creating a healthier indoor environment?
The team of HVAC professionals at Mattioni has assisted thousands of homeowners in transforming their indoor air quality. In this article, we’ll dive into the five major indoor air quality (IAQ) systems – air purifiers, air scrubbers, fresh air intake systems, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers.
We’ll break down the costs and benefits of these popular IAQ systems, so you can confidently invest in your family’s health. After reading this, you’ll have all the information you need to evaluate your home’s IAQ, find the right system for you, and build a budgeting strategy that doesn’t break the bank.
Let’s start with one of the more popular IAQ systems – air purifiers.
(The prices shared in this article reflect typical installation costs for Mattioni customers)
Air Purifiers ($1,500): The First Step to Cleaner Air
Air purifiers are often the first thing people think of when it comes to improving indoor air quality. These devices use a series of high-grade HEPA filters (High-Efficiency Particulate Air), to trap dust, allergens, pet dander, viruses, and bacteria. This is an unmistakable improvement in performance from MERV air filters (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) which come standard with most heating and cooling systems.
Air purifiers offer a quick boost to your IAQ by capturing many harmful particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that would otherwise roam free in your home. VOCs are infamously known for having short and long-term adverse health effects. The HEPA filters used in air purifiers are often required in hospitals and most doctor’s offices.
Air purifiers are ideal for those with allergies, asthma, or sensitivities to airborne irritants like pet dander.
Air purifiers typically cost Mattioni customers around $1,500 to install.
Air Scrubbers ($1,400): Attack Indoor Pollutants & VOCs Directly
Air scrubbers take air purification to the next level by actively neutralizing contaminants as they linger in the air. Unlike air purifiers, which passively filter air, air scrubbers emit charged ions that seek out and cling to VOCs. This process gets microscopic pollutants to a size that can be sanitized or trapped in a HEPA air purifier filter.
Air scrubbers also use UV-C light to disrupt the molecular makeup of harmful molecules, and limit their ability to reproduce.
While these systems can work as standalone devices, an air scrubber that’s integrated into your HVAC unit will provide the best results throughout your entire house. They’re great for homes with ongoing air quality challenges that are looking for a robust and complete solution.
Air scrubbers typically cost Mattioni customers around $1,400 to install.
Fresh Air Intake Systems ($2,000 – $5,000): A Steady, Subtle Stream of Fresh Air
Stale air can make a home feel suffocating, and opening windows isn’t always practical – especially during humid, rainy, or cold weather. Fresh air intake systems are made up of piping that directs outdoor air in, and indoor air out.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) are the most efficient of these systems as they complete this process with both a blower motor (a powered fan) and a heat exchanger, which limits temperature losses. In addition to ERVs, there are a couple other fresh air intake system options.
Powered Positive-Pressure Ventilation Systems are designed similarly to ERVs but rely on passively exhausting stale indoor air, resulting in “positive pressure” in the home. Like ERVs, these systems utilize a blower motor, creating the “powered” positive-pressure ventilation system.
Another type of fresh air intake system is the Unpowered Positive-Pressure Ventilation System. The key difference here is that this type relies on a damper instead of a blower motor, meaning that they utilize your HVAC system’s fan to generate an influx of fresh air. This can limit the flow of fresh air into your home.
Both powered and unpowered positive-pressure ventilation systems don’t have a heat exchanger and are therefore less energy efficient than ERVs. However, all three of these fresh air intake systems will provide your home with an IAQ boost, making your air cleaner and healthier to breathe.
- The Aprilaire 8100 is a popular ERV and typically costs around $5,000 to install.
- The Aprilaire 8145 is a popular Powered Positive-Pressure Ventilation System and typically costs around $3,000 to install.
- The Aprilaire 8126 is a popular Unpowered Positive Pressure Ventilation System and typically costs around $2,000 to install.
Whole-Home Dehumidifiers ($3,000 – $4,300): Say Goodbye to Damp Summer Days & Nights
Excess moisture in your home isn’t just an uncomfortable burden; it can lead to musty odors, mold growth, and even damage to your belongings. Installing a whole-home dehumidifier helps maintain a healthy indoor humidity level (ideally 30-50%) by pulling moisture out of the air.
These devices condense the moisture and release dry air back into your home. They can make a world of difference for those afflicted with asthma, however they create a more comfortable home environment in general while preventing mold and mildew and protecting wooden furniture.
Whole-home dehumidifiers typically cost Mattioni customers $3,000-$4,300 to install, depending on the type of system.
Whole-Home Humidifiers ($1,300 – $3,300): Combat Uncomfortable Dry Air
On the flip side, overly dry air can also wreak havoc on your health and home in similar ways to humid air. Dry skin, respiratory irritation, and damage to wooden floors and belongings are just a few of the ways that dry air can take its toll on our daily lives.
Installing a whole-home humidifier adds moisture back into the air in every corner of your home, ensuring it stays comfortable and healthy. Whole-home humidifiers are most beneficial during the winter months and alleviate many symptoms of colds, sinus issues, and dry skin.
Whole-home humidifiers typically cost Mattioni customers $1,300-$3,300 to install, depending on the type of system.
Balancing IAQ System Costs with the Health of Your Home
Investing in indoor air quality systems is about more than just comfort – it’s about creating a healthier, happier home for you and your family. To help make your IAQ budget manageable, we at Mattioni have several financing offerings – including 12-month interest-free payment plans on all system installations.
Each device covered in this article – from air purifiers to humidifiers – plays a specific role in addressing air quality challenges. Identifying which system is best suited to your home’s IAQ situation can transform your living space into a haven of clean, balanced air.
Struggling with allergies? Start with an air purifier. Constant humidity issues? A dehumidifier or fresh air intake system might be your solution. And if you’re unsure, consult with an HVAC professional to craft a custom solution.
Don’t settle for anything less than clean, healthy air for your home. Start your journey to better indoor air quality today by exploring the right systems for your home. When you’re ready, reach out to the friendly staff at Matttioni by calling (610) 400-8510 or book a free in-home consultation directly online now. Investing in the right IAQ system now will pay off with a healthy home for years to come.
