Improving Indoor Air Quality: A Guide for Des Moines Homeowners

Iowans spend the majority of the year with windows closed — between brutal winters, humid summers, and allergy-heavy shoulder seasons. That's why indoor air quality (IAQ) is one of the most impactful and most overlooked levers for home comfort and health.

Why indoor air quality matters more than you think

The EPA estimates that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and in airtight modern homes that number climbs higher. Dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, combustion byproducts, and volatile organic compounds all build up when homes aren't ventilated and filtered properly. Poor IAQ is linked to headaches, worsened asthma, allergies, sleep disruption, and long-term respiratory issues.

Start with the basics: your filter

The single biggest IAQ win for most homeowners is a correctly sized, higher-MERV filter changed on schedule. A pleated MERV 11–13 filter traps a huge portion of the particles that typical fiberglass filters let through. Check monthly and replace every 1 to 3 months depending on pets, dust load, and filter type.

Control humidity year-round

In winter, dry Iowa air dehydrates skin and airways and makes respiratory infections more likely. In summer, excess humidity feeds mold, dust mites, and that sticky "cold but not comfortable" feeling. Aim to keep indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50%. A whole-home humidifier handles winter, a properly sized AC or dedicated dehumidifier handles summer.

Ventilate on purpose

Modern homes are tighter than ever, which is great for energy bills but bad for IAQ. A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) exchanges stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air without throwing away the conditioning you've already paid for. We install ventilation systems designed for Iowa's swing-season extremes.

Address the air at the source

• UV and air purification systems installed inside the ductwork neutralize bacteria, viruses, and mold before they circulate.
• Duct sealing and cleaning removes accumulated debris and stops conditioned air from being pulled into dusty, humid attics and crawlspaces.
• Vent hoods and bath fans need to actually vent outside — not into an attic — to remove cooking particulates and shower moisture.

Home habits that quietly help

• Use cooking range hoods every time you cook.
• Vacuum with a HEPA vacuum at least weekly if you have pets.
• Leave shoes at the door to keep tracked-in pollutants down.
• Run bath fans for 15 minutes after every shower to pull humidity out before it has time to settle.
• Test for radon — Iowa has some of the highest radon levels in the country.

Clean air isn't a luxury — it's the foundation of a comfortable, healthy home. Small changes to your filter and humidity routine can make an immediate difference, and the right professional upgrades compound those gains for years.