Service · Indoor air quality upgrades in Seattle

Indoor air quality upgrades in Seattle.

IAQ is mostly filtration. A MERV 13 media filter cabinet ($500-$900 installed) catches most smoke-season particulates, pollen, pet dander, and dust without restricting airflow the way a 1-inch high-MERV filter does. After filtration, two upgrades earn their cost for the right home: a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) and a whole-home dehumidifier.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Get a free quote

// MERV 13 + HRV SMOKE SEASON READY

MERV 13 filter cabinet $500 – $900

HRV install $2,800 – $5,200

Whole-home dehumidifier $2,400 – $3,800

Filter lifespan 6 – 12 mo

Install time 1 day

What drives the cost

Filter spec, ventilation, humidity, ductwork condition.

01
Filter spec

MERV 13 media is the right baseline. MERV 16 + HEPA bypass for severe asthma or smoke events.
02
Ventilation

HRV (cold climates) or ERV (humid summers). Most Seattle homes do well with an HRV.
03
Humidity control

Whole-home dehumidifier for damp basements. Whole-home humidifier for dry winter indoor air.
04
Ductwork condition

Leaky returns pull attic dust into the air stream. Seal and balance fixes that.

What actually moves the needle

The right IAQ stack for a Seattle homeis a MERV 13 media cabinet plus targeted upgrades.

IAQ is mostly filtration. A MERV 13 media filter cabinet catches most smoke-season particulates, pollen, pet dander, and dust without restricting airflow the way a 1-inch high-MERV filter does. $500 to $900 installed, lasts 6-12 months per filter.

After filtration, two upgrades earn their cost for the right home: a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) for tight modern homes that need fresh air without losing heat, and a whole-home dehumidifier for basement humidity issues.

UV lamps, ionizers, and air purifying sprays: skip them. They don't move the needle on real IAQ measurements. We won't install them.

Get your indoor air quality upgrades quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Free on-site evaluation. Master electrician on every consult. No high-pressure sales. We answer Mon-Sun, 7 AM to 8 PM.

Request a quote → Call (206) 200-9134

IAQ upgrade costs

IAQ upgrade pricing in Seattle.

Most homes benefit most from the MERV 13 media cabinet (cheapest, highest impact). HRV and dehumidifier are targeted upgrades for specific home conditions.

✓MERV 13 is the baseline✓No UV lamp upsells✓Smoke-season ready

Get a real quote → Call (206) 200-9134

Upgrade

Equipment + install

MERV 13 media filter cabinet Aprilaire 213 or 413

$500–$900

HEPA bypass unit Severe asthma/allergies

$1,800–$2,800

Heat recovery ventilator (HRV) Tight modern homes (post-2010)

$2,800–$4,200

Energy recovery ventilator (ERV) Same as HRV + humidity control

$3,200–$5,200

Whole-home dehumidifier Aprilaire 1830 or equivalent

$2,400–$3,800

Whole-home humidifier Aprilaire 600 or equivalent

$700–$1,400

Filter replacements run $40-$120 every 6-12 months for MERV 13. We stock filters and can drop them at maintenance visits.

From first call to final walkthrough

How a indoor air quality upgrades with us goes.

Our process is built around making decisions easy, not pressuring you to make them today. Here's what every Black Lotus install looks like.

See the full process →

01

Day 0Schedule.

You call. We answer. A technician is introduced by name and a two-hour window is confirmed.
02

Day 1Consult.

On-site evaluation, Manual J load calc where applicable, panel + ductwork check, install photos. Written estimate in 24 to 48 hours.
03

Day 2-4Approve.

You pick your option. We pull permits, register warranties, lock in your install date and PSE rebate paperwork.
04

Day 5-7Install.

Full walkthrough before we touch a wire. Combustion analysis if any gas equipment remains, startup, full system test.
05

AfterSatisfied.

Walkthrough at the end. Anything you flag, we fix. Final payment only after sign-off. Warranty starts now.

Equipment lines we install

IAQ equipment we install.

Aprilaire 213 / 413

Filtration

Filter spec MERV 13

Our default 4-inch media filter cabinet. Mounts on the return side of the furnace. Catches smoke season particulates without restricting airflow.

MERV 13

Filter life 6-12 mo

Install 1 day

Panasonic Intelli-Balance HRV

Ventilation

Recovery 0.45 SRE

Heat recovery ventilator for tight modern homes (built post-2010). Brings in fresh outdoor air, recovers ~80% of the heat from outgoing exhaust.

SRE 0.45-0.62

CFM 50-150

Warranty 5 yrs

Aprilaire 1830 dehumidifier

Humidity

Capacity 70 ppd

Whole-home dehumidifier for damp basements and chronic humidity issues. Ducts into the supply or runs standalone in the basement.

Capacity 70 ppd

Coverage 3,800 sq ft

Warranty 5 yrs

Why homeowners pick us

Three operational choices that change how the install lands.

Real Manual J load calculations.

We don't quote from square footage. Every system is sized from a measured load calculation accounting for insulation, windows, orientation, and air sealing. Oversized equipment is the most common failure mode we see on competitor installs.

In-house electrical.

HVAC and electrical under one roof. No subcontractor coordination, no second permit, no surprise add-ons after the gas guy leaves. If your panel needs work, we do it with the same crew on the same week.

Final payment after walkthrough.

You sign off after we walk the install with you. Anything you flag, we fix. Your money clears only after you say it's right. That clause is in writing on every install.

Black Lotus might not currently have the marketing chops of the bigger outfits, it's worth giving them a meeting. We're glad we did. They charged us 1/2 of other bids I had gotten.

Anna Chen · Local Guide · 132 reviews · Verified Google review

Common scenarios

A few common IAQ scenarios.

Wildfire smoke season prep.

June through September. A MERV 13 media cabinet plus running the HVAC fan during smoke events drops indoor PM 2.5 by 60-80%.

Allergies or asthma in family.

MERV 13 catches most pollen and dust. If symptoms persist, we add a HEPA bypass or recommend a portable HEPA unit for the bedroom.

Damp basement or musty smell.

Whole-home dehumidifier solves it. Usually $2,400 to $3,800 installed, lasts 10+ years, runs ~$5/month in electricity.

Common questions before you call

Quick answers before you call.

01 /

What MERV rating should I use?

MERV 13 is the right baseline for Seattle (handles smoke, pollen, dust). MERV 16 only if someone in the home has severe asthma. A 1-inch MERV 13 will restrict airflow; we install 4-inch media cabinets instead.

02 /

Do I need a UV lamp?

No. UV lamps marketed for HVAC do not meaningfully improve IAQ. We don't install them and won't recommend them.

03 /

How often do I need to change the filter?

A 4-inch MERV 13 media filter lasts 6 to 12 months for most homes. Replace twice a year if you have pets or live near construction; once a year otherwise.

04 /

Do I need an HRV?

Only if your home is tight (post-2010 construction with sealed envelope). Older Seattle homes have natural air infiltration that provides enough ventilation; an HRV would actually over-ventilate.

05 /

Will an IAQ upgrade help during smoke season?

Yes — significantly. Running the HVAC fan with a MERV 13 media cabinet drops indoor PM 2.5 by 60-80% during heavy smoke events. Pair with closing windows.

06 /

Do you do air duct cleaning?

Only when a CCTV inspection shows visible buildup or contamination. We don't do prophylactic duct cleaning; the EPA does not recommend it unless there's a specific issue.

Schedule your consult

Free on-site evaluation. Written quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Same-day diagnostic for furnace, AC, or electrical service calls within our primary area. King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Schedule online

Hours Mon-Sun · 7 AM – 8 PM

Service area King · Pierce · Snohomish

Email blacklotushvac@icloud.com

Three Seattle-born partners. 30+ years combined HVAC experience. Master electrician on every consult. PSE Trade Ally with the $1,200 rebate priced into your quote.