Enhancing Indoor Air Quality: A Three-Stage Approach for Various Homes and Audience Needs

In Alberta, where extreme weather often keeps us indoors for long stretches, maintaining clean, healthy indoor air is essential. In this guide, we’ll walk through a three-stage approach to improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) for different types of homes—including houses, apartments, and condos—and for various lifestyle needs.

We’ll outline the benefits of each stage, share helpful stats and real-life examples, and recommend trusted brands and equipment types that perform well in our climate. Whether you’re dealing with allergies, odours, or just want to breathe easier, this practical overview will help you choose the best IAQ upgrades for your space.

Let’s dive in with real stories that show how these solutions make a difference.

Stage 1: Add Humidification and High-Quality Furnace Filters

Meet Sarah, an allergy sufferer in Edmonton. After adding Stage 1 IAQ upgrades to her apartment, she noticed an immediate difference—easier breathing, fewer allergy flare-ups, and a more comfortable daily routine.

Suitable for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers

In Alberta’s dry climate, maintaining proper indoor humidity is essential—especially for those with allergies or asthma. Low humidity can trigger dry skin, worsen respiratory issues, and increase your risk of illness. A whole-home humidifier helps regulate moisture levels, creating a more comfortable and healthy living environment year-round.

Suitable for Pet Owners

Pairing your humidifier with a high-quality furnace filter makes this stage even more effective—particularly for pet owners. Filters with a MERV 11 rating or higher help capture airborne particles like pet dander, pollen, and other allergens before they spread through your home.

Heads up: Higher MERV filters can clog more quickly. To keep air moving efficiently and protect your equipment, plan to check and replace them more often.

Pro Tip: Read this article to learn more about MERV ratings.

Suitable for Houses, Apartments, Condos, Townhomes & Vacation Rentals

This stage is versatile and valuable for nearly any type of home. No matter where you live—or stay—it’s worth having humidity control and a quality filter in place to keep indoor air clean and comfortable.

Key Benefits of Stage 1:

• Easier Breathing: Balanced humidity and better filtration help reduce allergy symptoms and improve respiratory comfort.
• Fewer Illnesses: Studies show that proper indoor humidity levels can lower virus transmission, helping keep your household healthier.

Stage 2: Adding UV Purifiers and More

Meet John. He and his family added Stage 2 IAQ upgrades to their single-family home. With two young kids, their goal was to create the healthiest indoor environment possible. After installing UV purifiers and HEPA filters, they noticed fewer sick days and a noticeable improvement in their family’s overall well-being.

Suitable for Families with Infants and Young Children

For families with babies or toddlers, Stage 2 is a smart next step. This stage introduces UV (ultraviolet) air  purifiers, which are designed to neutralize airborne microorganisms like bacteria and viruses—helping reduce the spread of illness among vulnerable family members.

Suitable for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers

Adding air purifiers with HEPA filtration helps remove ultra-fine particles that standard filters may miss. These systems can trap dust, pollen, and allergens down to 0.3 microns, making a major difference for anyone living with asthma, allergies, or respiratory sensitivities.

Suitable for Homes, Apartments, Townhouses & Vacation Rentals

Stage 2 upgrades are ideal for well-constructed, tightly sealed spaces—where air tends to recirculate more. These solutions work across different home types, providing consistent purification and comfort wherever you live or stay.

Key Benefits of Stage 2:

• Healthier Environment: UV purifiers and HEPA filters significantly reduce airborne pathogens, allergens, and odours.
• Improved Family Wellness: Studies show that improved indoor air quality is linked to fewer sick days and better overall well-being—especially for households with young children.

Stage 3: Comprehensive IAQ Upgrades

Meet the Martins. As an eco-conscious family living in a spacious townhouse, they embraced Stage 3 IAQ upgrades to support their sustainable lifestyle. Not only did they enjoy noticeably cleaner indoor air, but they also saw a drop in their energy bills—aligning perfectly with their values.

Suitable for Eco-Conscious Homeowners

The final stage in our IAQ journey takes a whole-home approach. It’s ideal for homeowners who want top-tier air quality with energy savings to match. A key component at this stage is the Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)—a smart ventilation system that brings in fresh outdoor air while retaining indoor temperature and humidity.

In Alberta, where winters are long and dry, HRVs are especially useful. They help maintain balanced humidity and healthy airflow without sacrificing energy efficiency. By capturing and reusing heat from outgoing air, HRVs reduce energy waste and help keep heating bills in check.

Suitable for High-End Homes and Well-Insulated Spaces

Stage 3 upgrades are best suited for newer, well-built homes that are tightly sealed. These environments benefit most from enhanced ventilation, humidity control, and air purification systems working together to create a healthier indoor environment.

Key Benefits of Stage 3:

• Optimal Indoor Air Quality: Advanced ventilation and purification systems deliver the highest level of clean air, moisture balance, and airflow control.
• Improved Energy Efficiency: Studies show that HRVs can lead to meaningful energy savings, making this upgrade both environmentally and financially smart.

Ready to Breathe Easier?

Enhancing your home’s indoor air quality isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a smart investment in your family’s comfort and health. Whether you’re just getting started or ready for a full system upgrade, our experts can help you find the right solution for your space and lifestyle.

Contact ProSolutions Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today to book your Free In-Home Air Quality Evaluation & Quote. Let’s make your home feel better, one breath at a time.