Air you can actually trust.
Houston air carries pollen and mold spores, plenty of humidity and whatever the refineries along the Ship Channel put out that day. A 1" hardware-store filter was never built for that. Good indoor air here usually takes two or three layers working together: better filtration, UV in the air handler and humidity control. This page lays out the options. Each one has its own page with the details.
- MERV-13 whole-home filtration
- HEPA bypass filtration
- REME HALO UV
- Whole-home dehumidifiers
- Air quality testing
What's included with indoor air quality
We install four kinds of air quality equipment and test before recommending any of it. Most Pearland homes end up with two.
Whole-home media filtration
A MERV-13 cabinet filter at the air handler catches pollen, dust and mold spores. It replaces the 1" slot filter, and installed it runs $600 to $1,200.
True HEPA bypass filtration
For households dealing with severe allergies or asthma, or someone with a weakened immune system. A bypass unit pulls part of the return air through a true HEPA filter and a carbon stage, then sends it back to the supply. It catches particles down to 0.3 microns, smoke included. The air handler keeps its full airflow.
UV sterilization (REME HALO)
The REME HALO mounts in the air handler and combines UV light with ionization. It is designed to cut down airborne particles and odors, and in Houston humidity it helps keep the coil clean.
Whole-home dehumidifiers
In a Houston house, humidity causes more discomfort than the heat does. A whole-home dehumidifier holds the house around 45 to 50 percent relative humidity, so a higher thermostat setting still feels cool and mold has a harder time getting started.
Air quality testing
We measure particle counts and VOCs, check for CO, then log humidity and temperature room by room. The recommendation comes after the readings.
When indoor air is the problem
Allergies that will not quit, dust that is back the day after you clean, a musty smell when the AC starts. Any of those can point at the air itself.
- Allergies or asthma flare up indoors
- Persistent dust on furniture days after cleaning
- Musty smell when the AC kicks on
- Visible mold around vents or in bathrooms
- Humidity feels high (>55%) even with AC running
- Family members getting sick more often
- House feels stuffy or stale
- Cooking or pet odors that linger
- New construction or recent renovation off-gassing
- Just moved in and want a baseline air test
How a visit works
Five steps. No surprises. Same on your first call as your fiftieth.
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Schedule an IAQ assessment
A tech walks the house with a particle counter and a humidity meter and looks at the filtration you have now.
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Written recommendations
You get a short written list, usually one to three items. We tell you which would help your house. Sometimes one piece of equipment is enough.
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Installation
Most air quality equipment goes in within half a day. Cabinet filters and UV lamps tie into the existing air handler. A dehumidifier needs a little new ductwork.
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Verification
After the install we test particles and humidity again to confirm the equipment is doing its job.
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Annual service
Filters get changed, the UV bulb gets replaced every year and the dehumidifier gets its tune-up. Clear Advantage covers that maintenance.
- $99 Diagnostic visit ($79 for new customers), waived when you approve the repair
- Free In-home estimates on new systems
- Same price Nights, weekends, and holidays. No overtime fees.
What Pearland neighbors are saying
"While taking down the AC grills which were plastic. I asked if they thought the plastic or the metal grill what's better? they answer saying the plastic was more porous than metal will have more mold and mildew if there's more moisture."
"Mr. Sanchez did one of the best, likely the best, and the most thorough inspection and maintenance jobs on my HVAC system. He was very personable, knowledgeable and professional. When finished, he reviewed what he had done with me in detail, and discussed a couple recommendations he had for my system."
"Though I ended up receiving some unfortunate information in regards to the duct work, he was very thorough in explaining all of the issues and pointing out which ones could wait and which ones were high priority."
Frequently asked
Do I need a fancy air purifier?
Probably not a standalone one. A portable purifier is fine for a bedroom, but it only treats that room. Whole-home equipment works in layers. Filtration takes particles out. UV works on odors and biological growth, and a dehumidifier handles moisture. Our <a href="/services/whole-house-air-purifiers/">whole-house air purifier</a> page compares the in-duct options.
What MERV rating should I use?
MERV-11 to MERV-13 fits most homes. A higher number catches more but also restricts airflow on systems not built for it, and a MERV-16 in the wrong system can freeze the coil. We match the filter to the system.
What about true HEPA filtration?
True HEPA captures 99.97 percent of particles at 0.3 microns, which matters for severe allergies and asthma, wildfire smoke, or recovery after surgery. HEPA media is too dense to run inline with a home air handler, so we install bypass units that filter a portion of the return air through HEPA and activated carbon. For most homes MERV-13 is enough.
Does a UV light really work?
A properly installed REME HALO is designed to reduce airborne particles and odors as air moves through the air handler, and the UV keeps the coil and drain pan from growing mold in Pearland humidity. We do not sell it as a virus cure. We have installed plenty of them, and the feedback we get is good.
Why would I need a dehumidifier if I have AC?
Your AC removes water only while it is cooling. On mild, muggy spring and fall days it barely runs. Indoor humidity climbs and the house feels clammy. A whole-home dehumidifier keeps it steady year-round. Installed, most run $2,400 to $3,200 and up.
How often do filters and UV bulbs need to be changed?
A high-MERV cabinet filter lasts 6 to 12 months. UV bulbs lose strength over time, so replace them every year even if they still glow. We track the schedule for Clear Advantage members.
Can you test my air quality?
Yes. We bring particle counters and VOC meters along with CO meters and humidity loggers. You get a written baseline of what is in your air. For a better read, the loggers can stay in place for several days. The <a href="/services/air-quality-testing/">air quality testing</a> page has the details.
Will an IAQ system reduce my energy bills?
Indirectly. With the humidity down, you can set the thermostat a couple of degrees higher and feel the same. Filtration will not cut the bill by itself, though a coil kept clean by good filtration holds its efficiency.
Are there allergy or health benefits?
A lot of customers tell us their allergies ease up after the install. We are HVAC contractors, not doctors, so we make no medical claims. What we can show you is the before-and-after particle and humidity readings.