Indoor air quality used to be a niche concern. After three consecutive summers of wildfire smoke pushing Burnaby AQI past 200 and tighter newer homes that don't exchange air the way older homes did, IAQ is now mainstream HVAC. We install three classes of solution across Burnaby.
UV air purifiers (Honeywell, RGF, Aprilaire) inactivate airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold spores as air passes through your HVAC. They're a meaningful upgrade for households with allergies, asthma, or compromised immune systems. Whole-home humidifiers (Aprilaire, Honeywell) add moisture to dry winter air, protecting hardwood, art, and respiratory health. High-grade filtration (MERV 13–16, HEPA bypass) catches wildfire smoke particles, pollen, and dust mites that standard MERV 8 filters miss.
All three integrate with your existing HVAC system and don't require ductwork changes. Most installs finish in 4–6 hours.
What's Included
UV-C air purifiers
Honeywell, RGF Reme Halo, Aprilaire UV systems. Mounted in supply or return duct, treats air every cycle.
Whole-home humidifiers
Bypass and fan-powered humidifiers add 10–20% RH to your home in winter. Protects floors, art, and skin/sinus.
MERV 13–16 filtration upgrades
Standard furnace filters are MERV 8. Upgrading to MERV 13 or 16 catches wildfire smoke, fine particulate, and pollen.
HEPA bypass filtration
True HEPA-grade filtration via a bypass loop on your HVAC. Best wildfire smoke protection short of full air sealing.
Heat recovery ventilators (HRV)
Bring fresh outdoor air into tight modern homes without losing winter heat. Required by code in many newer Burnaby builds.
Air quality testing
Particulate count, VOC, humidity, and CO₂ monitoring. We test before and after install to prove the upgrade works.
Why Burnaby Air Quality Matters More Now
Wildfire smoke from interior BC and Washington state regularly pushes Burnaby AQI past 150 every summer. The 2018, 2021, 2023 smoke seasons each lasted weeks. Homes without proper filtration and humidity control become unliveable for sensitive populations during these events. Our IAQ install volume has tripled since 2020, mostly driven by smoke-season urgency.
Newer Brentwood, Lougheed, and Sullivan Heights builds are tight enough to retain VOCs, CO₂, and humidity at problematic levels. The same air sealing that makes them efficient also makes them susceptible to indoor air quality issues. Heat recovery ventilators (HRV) solve this by bringing fresh air without losing conditioning.
Older Burnaby Heights and Capitol Hill heritage homes have the opposite problem — too much air infiltration in winter creates extremely dry indoor air (15–20% RH versus the healthy 35–50% range). Whole-home humidifiers solve this without renovation. Hardwood floors, antique furniture, and respiratory health all benefit.
Burnaby IAQ — What It Costs
Installed prices including unit, labor, and integration with existing HVAC.
- MERV 13 filter cabinet upgrade$320–$580
- Whole-home bypass humidifier$680–$1,250
- UV-C air purifier (Honeywell / Aprilaire)$680–$1,150
- HEPA bypass filtration system$1,400–$2,400
- Heat recovery ventilator (HRV)$2,800–$4,500
- Combined IAQ package$3,800–$6,200
What Burnaby Homeowners Say
“Our top-floor unit was unbearable in July. They installed a quiet ductless system in two days and walked us through the strata approval beforehand. Zero issues, much cooler home.”
“Sewer backed up the week of a family dinner. Cleared the line same day with hydro-jetting, then ran a camera to find the root intrusion at the property line. Booked the repair within 48 hours.”
“We bought a 1999 build and the inspection flagged Kitec. They re-piped the whole house with PEX in three days, fixed the manifold, and only opened drywall where they had to. Clean job.”
Burnaby Indoor Air Quality FAQs
The questions Burnaby homeowners ask us most about this service.
Do UV air purifiers actually work?
What's the best wildfire smoke protection for a Burnaby home?
Will a humidifier really help my Burnaby home in winter?
How often do IAQ filters need changing?
Do I need an HRV in my Burnaby home?
Can I just buy a portable air purifier?
Cleaner Air in Your Burnaby Home — Year-Round
Wildfire smoke, allergies, dryness — addressed properly with whole-home solutions.
- Response within 1 hour — a real human answers, not a call center.
- Same rates 24/7 — no overtime, weekend, or holiday surcharges.
- Licensed, insured, permitted — Red Seal gas fitters, FSR electricians, $5M coverage.
- Workmanship warranty — 1-year labor warranty plus full manufacturer parts coverage.