How much does IAQ work cost in Riverside?
4-inch MERV 13 media filter cabinet $200-$450. UV-C lamp $400-$700. Whole-home HEPA bypass $1,500-$2,500. Full stack $2,000-$3,500. Post-wildfire duct cleaning $400-$800.
My Riverside home was hit by wildfire smoke. Can you clean the ducts?
Yes. Post-smoke HEPA-cabinet duct cleaning runs $400-$800 depending on linear footage. We also recommend swapping filters and considering a UV-C lamp install at the evaporator coil for mold suppression on smoke-contaminated coils.
How often should I change my Riverside HVAC filter?
Standard 1-inch filter: every 30-60 days during pollen-heavy spring and after wildfire events. 4-inch MERV 13 media cabinet: every 6-12 months. The cabinet upgrade pays for itself in convenience and air quality within 2-3 filter cycles.
Should I add a UV-C lamp at my Riverside evaporator coil?
Worth considering if your home is post-wildfire affected, has mold history, or has occupants with respiratory sensitivities. UV-C lamp ($400-$700) suppresses mold and bacteria growth on the evaporator coil where condensate creates ideal growth conditions.
How much does indoor air quality improvement cost?
MERV 13 cabinet upgrade: $200-$450. UV-C or iWave-R add-on: $450-$1,200. Whole-home HEPA system: $1,200-$2,500. Filter upgrades alone make the biggest difference for cost vs. impact.
What is MERV rating and what should I get?
MERV is a 1-16 scale measuring filter efficiency. Builder-grade is usually MERV 8 (catches dust, lint, pollen). MERV 13 catches finer particles including smoke, mold spores, and bacteria. We spec MERV 13 minimum on every HD install. MERV 16 is HEPA-equivalent and requires a properly sized media cabinet.
Should I get UV-C lamps or an air purifier?
UV-C lamps mounted at the coil kill mold and bacteria growing on the coil itself. iWave-R bipolar ionization handles smoke odors, VOCs, and airborne pathogens throughout the duct system. They solve different problems and can be combined.
