Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality plays a huge role in the comfort and health of your home or workplace. At Viking Heating and Air, we help homeowners and Utah businesses eliminate airborne pollutants, reduce allergens, and maintain cleaner indoor environments.
Utah's Air Quality Problem, By the Numbers
Advanced Indoor Air Quality Solutions
We specialize in installing and maintaining air purification systems that improve the air you breathe every day. Whether you're struggling with dust, pet dander, pollen, or indoor pollutants, our IAQ services are built to solve common air quality issues. Our solutions include: Air Purifiers & Filtration: Capture fine particles and reduce allergens in your home or office. UV Lights: Eliminate bacteria, mold spores, and viruses circulating in your HVAC system. MERV Filter Upgrades: Improve filtration efficiency for cleaner, healthier air. Duct Repairs & Return Air Improvements: Ensure proper airflow and eliminate buildup that compromises indoor air quality.
UV Lights
How it's installed. A UV light mounts next to your evaporator coil and aims UV-C light directly at the coil and the drain pan underneath it, the exact dark, damp spot where mold spores like to grow.
How it actually works. UV-C light damages the DNA inside bacteria, mold spores, and viruses so they can no longer reproduce. It isn't killing anything on contact the way a spray would, it's degrading the organism through continuous exposure as air and moisture pass by the light day after day.
Pros. It typically eliminates around 97 percent of mold and bacteria and more than 90 percent of viruses like the flu as they pass through your system. It also keeps the coil itself cleaner over time by preventing the biofilm buildup that normally coats a coil, and a cleaner coil means better airflow and fewer efficiency losses. Most homeowners notice fewer musty odors coming from their vents once one's installed.
Cons. It's not a filter and won't do anything for dust, pollen, or pet dander on its own, so it works best alongside good filtration rather than replacing it. The bulb also has a limited lifespan, typically around 9,000 hours or roughly a year of continuous use, and it needs to be swapped out or it stops doing anything even though the light might still be lit.
What to expect. We usually replace the bulb during a regular tune-up. It's a five-minute job once the unit is already installed.
Air Purification and Higher-Rated Filters
What it does. A higher-rated filter, measured by MERV rating, catches smaller particles than a standard filter lets straight through: fine dust, pollen, pet dander, and even some bacteria and smoke particles depending on the rating.
Why the rating matters. A basic fiberglass filter, MERV 1 to 4, is really there to protect your equipment, not your lungs. It's not until you get into the MERV 8 to 13 range that a filter starts meaningfully improving the air you're actually breathing.
Who notices the biggest difference. Homes with pets, allergy sufferers, or anyone who notices dust settling on furniture within a day or two of dusting tend to see the most obvious improvement after an upgrade.
Where it fits with everything else. A better filter and a UV light solve two different problems. One traps particles, the other neutralizes what's growing inside your system. Most of our air quality customers end up doing both.
The Filter Upgrade Mistake We See a Lot
What people assume. A lot of homeowners see a higher-MERV filter online, figure it's a straightforward swap, and drop it into their existing system without changing anything else. On a traditional system that wasn't built for it, that's a real problem.
Why it causes issues. Every filter creates some resistance to airflow, and a denser filter creates more of it. Push too much resistance into a system that wasn't designed for it and you can freeze an AC coil, overheat a furnace's heat exchanger, and force the blower motor to work harder than it should, sometimes hard enough to shorten its life or trip a safety switch.
Why it's not really about the MERV number. The real issue isn't the filter rating by itself, it's the combination of the filter's surface area, your duct sizing, and what your blower can actually move air through. A thin one-inch filter at MERV 13 restricts airflow a lot more than a deeper four or five-inch filter at the same rating, because the deeper filter has far more surface area for air to pass through at a lower velocity.
The right way to do it. The fix isn't skipping the upgrade, it's doing it properly. A technician installs a filter rack or return air upgrade sized to support the higher-rated filter, sometimes repositioning where the filter sits entirely, so your system gets cleaner air without the added strain.
Steam Humidifiers
Why winter air gets people sick. Cold winter air holds very little moisture to begin with, and it gets even drier once your furnace heats it. That dry air pulls moisture straight out of your skin, which is why hands and knuckles crack more in winter than any other season.
How that turns into more sickness. Cracked skin is an easier entry point for germs than skin that's intact, and people touch their face constantly throughout the day without thinking about it. Dry air itself also lets viruses survive and spread more easily once they're airborne. There's real research behind this: keeping indoor humidity above 40 percent measurably reduces how infectious airborne viruses are, which is a big part of why winter is cold and flu season in the first place.
The comfort side. A whole-home steam humidifier keeps your air at a healthier humidity level automatically, no filling a tank or refilling a portable unit every day. Humid air also feels warmer than dry air at the exact same temperature, so a lot of our customers end up comfortable with the thermostat a degree or two lower than before, which helps the gas bill too.
What it needs. A steam humidifier ties into your furnace's ductwork and your home's water line, so it isn't a DIY install. It also needs an annual cleaning to keep mineral buildup from the water supply from affecting performance.
Our Indoor Air Quality Services
Air Purifiers
We install high-performance air purifiers that capture dust, allergens, and microscopic particles. These systems work with your HVAC to keep air consistently clean throughout your home.
Explore →UV Light Systems
Our UV light systems target mold spores, bacteria, and viruses, sterilizing the air as it passes through your HVAC system for healthier indoor air.
Explore →MERV Filter Upgrades
We replace standard filters with high-efficiency MERV filters that trap more particles, improving air quality and protecting your HVAC components.
Explore →Coil Cleaning Services
We clean evaporator and condenser coils to prevent mold growth, improve system efficiency, and maintain healthy airflow.
Explore →Duct Repairs & Improvements
Leaky or damaged ducts can let in dust and allergens. We seal, repair, and improve ductwork to keep air clean and conditioned
Explore →Return Air Optimization
We assess and improve return air pathways to ensure balanced airflow and reduce stagnant areas where pollutants can accumulate.
Explore →What Our Customers Say About Viking Heating and Air
Real feedback from Utah homeowners and businesses who trust us to keep them comfortable.
"These guys are awesome!! We came home and had no AC in our upstairs. Our home is 25 years old and I was fearing the worst. Instead, they said they could repair it simply by replacing the control board...the same day!!! Highly recommend them for any HVAC needs, they have my business for life!!!"
"I have nothing but praise for Ezekiel. He provided exceptional service and went above and beyond to ensure everything was taken care of. It's refreshing to encounter someone so professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring."
"David, the technician from Viking, came out for a spring tune up of the a/c unit. He arrived on time and performed a thorough diagnostic. His suggestions were honest and he didn't try to sell me on any unnecessary services. I'd highly recommend Viking Heating and Air."
"Dave spent quite a few hours researching the issues with my AC unit. I am quite impressed with the thoroughness and time he took to make sure the job was done right."
Why Choose Us
We use proven equipment and tailored solutions to deliver lasting air quality improvements.
Advanced Filtration Options
We offer MERV-rated filters, air purifiers, and UV lights for maximum contaminant removal.
Comprehensive System Approach
From ducts to coils, we address every part of your HVAC system that affects air quality.
Local Experience
We understand Utah's dust, pollen, and seasonal allergens, and design solutions to combat them effectively.
Breathe cleaner air today. Call Viking Heating and Air at (801) 821-2816.
Our Process
Air Quality Assessment
We inspect your HVAC system and test indoor air to identify pollutants and problem areas.
Customized Solutions
We recommend and install air quality upgrades tailored to your home's needs.
Ongoing Support
We provide regular maintenance to keep your system and air quality in peak condition.
Indoor Air Quality Services
How do I know if my indoor air quality is poor?
Signs include frequent allergies, lingering odors, excess dust, and uneven airflow. We offer professional air quality testing to identify and address specific concerns in your home.
How often should filters be replaced?
Most filters should be replaced every 1–3 months. Homes with pets, allergies, or high dust may require more frequent changes for optimal air quality.
Do UV lights really work for air quality?
Yes. UV lights neutralize mold spores, bacteria, and viruses inside your HVAC system, preventing them from circulating throughout your home.
Can I just install a higher-rated filter myself?
On most traditional systems, we'd advise against it. A denser filter without a filter rack sized to support it can restrict airflow enough to freeze a coil or overheat a furnace. We can upgrade your return air setup so your system handles a higher-rated filter safely.
Does a whole-home humidifier really help with winter illness?
It can. Dry winter air dries out skin and makes it easier for germs to spread, and research shows that keeping indoor humidity above 40 percent reduces how infectious airborne viruses are. A steam humidifier keeps your whole home at a healthier humidity level automatically.
Can indoor air quality services lower my energy bills?
Absolutely. Cleaner air systems run more efficiently, which reduces strain on your HVAC equipment and helps lower energy consumption.
Are your air quality solutions safe for children and pets?
Yes. All our recommended products and systems are designed to be safe while improving air quality for the entire household.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
Poor indoor air quality can trigger allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues, especially with Utah's winter inversions trapping pollutants close to the ground. By upgrading your HVAC system with purification technology, you'll enjoy: Healthier living and working conditions. Cleaner surfaces and reduced dust buildup. Lower risk of airborne illness spread. More efficient HVAC system performance.
Proudly Serving Salt Lake City & Salt Lake County
We provide fast, reliable HVAC service throughout Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, and surrounding Utah communities.
Schedule Your Indoor Air Quality Service Today
Call Viking Heating and Air at (801) 821-2816 for expert indoor air quality solutions anywhere in Utah County.