How to improve your indoor air quality

Clean air inside a home in Ogden does not happen by accident. Our dry climate, winter inversions, wildfire smoke, and older ductwork in many neighborhoods combine to load a house with dust, dander, and tiny particles that irritate lungs and sinuses. Good news: a few practical changes, plus the right HVAC upgrades, can make indoor air cleaner within days and keep it that way year-round.

What affects air quality in Ogden homes

Ogden’s winter inversion traps pollutants close to the valley floor. That means fine particulate matter sneaks indoors through tiny gaps and worn weatherstripping. Spring pollen arrives early at lower elevations near West Haven and Roy, then lingers. Summer brings wildfire smoke from across the West, which rides in with afternoon winds off I-15. Inside the home, common sources include cooking, gas appliances, aerosol cleaners, scented candles, pets, and damp basements in older bungalows east of Washington Boulevard.

An HVAC system does more than heat and cool. It moves air, filters particles, and balances humidity. If it runs with a dirty filter, leaky return ducts, or poor ventilation, pollution recirculates endlessly.

Start with the fastest wins

Three simple habits can quickly lift air quality without a remodel. First, install high-quality HVAC filters and change them on schedule. Second, run local exhaust during pollution events like cooking and showers. Third, keep shoes at the door and vacuum with a HEPA unit. Many Ogden households see clearer air and fewer odors within a week after doing just those.

Choose the right HVAC filter for Ogden conditions

Filter ratings matter. A low MERV filter lets fine particles pass right through. A very high MERV filter in a system that was not designed for it can choke airflow and stress the blower. Most forced-air systems in Ogden handle MERV 8 to 11 without issue, and many newer furnaces and air handlers support MERV 13 when duct static pressure is checked and adjusted. A good rule: aim for MERV 11 in average homes https://www.onehourheatandair.com/ogden and consider MERV 13 if allergies or asthma are present, but confirm with a static pressure test.

Homeowners who tried MERV 13 during the 2023 smoke days reported less smell yet noticed longer heat cycles. That usually points to restricted airflow or a filter grille that is too small. A One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning technician can measure total external static pressure in a few minutes and recommend a filter upgrade path that keeps airflow in the safe zone.

Seal the system where it matters: ducts and returns

Leaky return ducts pull dusty air from attics, crawlspaces, or utility rooms. Supply leaks waste conditioned air into walls. In older Ogden homes near the Historic 25th Street corridor, sheet-metal seams and panned joist returns often leak 20 to 30 percent of airflow. Sealing accessible joints with mastic and replacing panned returns with proper duct can cut dust and improve filter performance. This type of work also reduces energy costs in both heating and cooling seasons.

Ventilation: bring in fresh air without bringing in problems

Opening windows works on clear days, but not during inversions or smoke alerts. Balanced mechanical ventilation adds controlled fresh air while filtering it. Two options fit many Ogden houses:

• Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) for year-round fresh air with moisture exchange, helpful in winter to prevent over-drying.
• Dedicated outside air duct tied to the return with a motorized damper and filter, sized to ASHRAE 62.2 guidelines for the home’s square footage and occupancy.

During heavy smoke, One Hour can program ventilation to run at lower outdoor air rates and rely on internal recirculation with high-efficiency filtration until outdoor levels improve.

Tackle humidity and its side effects

Our climate trends dry, yet winter heating can drop indoor humidity below 25 percent, which irritates airways and stirs dust. In basements and bathrooms, the opposite happens: moisture lingers and feeds mold. Aim for 35 to 50 percent relative humidity.

A bypass or powered humidifier mounted on the furnace can stabilize winter humidity. In homes near the Ogden River or with finished basements, a dedicated dehumidifier keeps summer levels in check. The right choice depends on square footage, duct layout, and whether the home uses a furnace with central air or a heat pump. A tech can measure dew point and advise on sizing, placement, and maintenance so minerals do not build up.

Kitchen and bath exhaust: small fans, big impact

Cooking is a top indoor particle source. A vented range hood that ducts outdoors removes moisture, grease, and odors at the source. Many hoods recirculate back into the kitchen through a small charcoal pad, which barely helps during searing or frying. For Ogden kitchens, look for a hood that moves 200 to 400 CFM with noise ratings below 2.5 sones to encourage regular use. In bathrooms, a quiet continuous fan with a humidity sensor prevents mold on grout and drywall.

Air cleaners that make a measurable difference

Portable HEPA purifiers work well for bedrooms and home offices. Place them near the bed or desk and size them to deliver at least 4 to 5 air changes per hour in that room. For whole-home coverage, a media filter cabinet or an electronic air cleaner installed at the air handler treats every cubic foot that passes through the system.

Some homeowners ask about UV lights. UV can disrupt microbial growth on the evaporator coil and in drain pans, which cuts smells and biofilm, but it does not remove dust or smoke particles. Think of UV as a coil hygiene tool, not a substitute for filtration.

Cleaning habits that keep filters from doing all the work

Dry dusting moves particles into the air where the return will pick them up. Damp wipe hard surfaces, wash bedding weekly in hot water, and use a HEPA vacuum on carpets and couches. Pet owners in Washington Terrace and North Ogden often see the biggest gains from a weekly HEPA vacuum schedule plus MERV 11 or 13 filters.

What maintenance should look like, season by season

A quick tune-up checklist keeps small problems from turning into indoor air issues.

• Replace filters every 30 to 90 days based on MERV rating, pets, and smoke days. Check monthly during wildfire season.
• Schedule spring cooling and fall heating tune-ups to clean coils, measure static pressure, and confirm blower speeds match filter setup.
• Inspect duct connections and the filter cabinet door so bypass air does not sneak around the filter.
• Clear condensate drains. A clogged drain breeds odors and can harbor growth that spreads through the airstream.

Signs the home needs professional help

If air feels stuffy even with a clean filter, if dust returns a day after cleaning, or if family members wake congested, the HVAC system may be under-ventilated or unbalanced. Hot and cold spots across floors in East Bench homes often trace back to improper return sizing. Strong attic or crawlspace smells point to return leaks. A pro can run airflow tests, check carbon monoxide levels from gas appliances, and measure particle counts before and after changes so improvements are obvious rather than guessed.

Real results from local homes

A ranch home near Harrison Boulevard with two shedding dogs struggled during last summer’s smoke. The team installed a MERV 13 media cabinet, sealed the return trunk, and added a quiet bedroom HEPA unit. Static pressure stayed within manufacturer specs after a blower speed adjustment. The homeowner reported less odor on smoke days and longer gaps between dusting. Another case in Roy involved a finished basement that smelled musty each July. A ducted dehumidifier set to 45 percent and a simple bath fan upgrade ended the odor within a week.

Budget planning and what to expect

Upgrading a filter cabinet and sealing accessible ductwork often falls in the few-hundred to low four-figure range depending on access and scope. ERV systems run higher due to ducting and controls but deliver steady air quality gains year-round. Portable HEPA units start under a couple hundred dollars per room. The best value usually comes from combining a solid media filter, verified duct sealing, and strong source control in the kitchen and baths.

How One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning supports better air in Ogden

Local conditions shape smart choices. A team that works daily in HVAC Ogden understands how inversions, wildfire smoke, and older duct designs change the plan. One Hour offers:

• System assessments with airflow and static pressure readings, so filter upgrades do not harm performance.
• Duct sealing and return redesign to cut dust and improve comfort.
• Whole-home air cleaning options, including media cabinets, electronic air cleaners, UV for coils, and ERVs sized to the house.
• Humidity solutions matched to Ogden winters and basement moisture.

Same-day appointments are often available during smoke or inversion alerts. Clear, written options help homeowners decide what to do now and what can wait.

A simple path to cleaner air this week

Pick one change that fits the home and the season. Swap in a MERV 11 or 13 filter and note the date. Use the range hood every time the cooktop turns on. Run a HEPA purifier in the bedroom at night. If results fall short, schedule a quick visit. A short test of airflow, ducts, and ventilation can reveal the single upgrade that will make the largest difference for that specific house.

Ready to breathe easier in Ogden? Request a visit from One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. The team will measure, explain, and fix the air problems that matter most, so each room feels cleaner and more comfortable through inversion season and beyond.