The IAQ industry is full of marketing-driven products that don't move the needle and a few solutions that genuinely transform how your home feels. Florida's climate creates IAQ challenges no other region faces. Here's what works for Treasure Coast homes — and what's a waste of money.
Verified Google reviews
Class-A CAC1824400
Treasure Coast residents
Full-spectrum HVAC
Approved before work begins
Warranties registered for you
Forget generic 'cleaner air' marketing. We see four specific issues over and over on the Treasure Coast.
Most homes ship with a MERV 8 filter — basically a dust net. Upgrading to MERV 11 captures pollen and pet dander; MERV 13 catches most mold spores and bacteria. Going to MERV 16+ requires checking total static pressure on your system — overloading the blower kills the motor. We measure static pressure before recommending an upgrade.
True HEPA (99.97% at 0.3 microns) can't be installed in your main duct without crushing static pressure. The right solution is a bypass filter — a parallel chamber that pulls 20% of return air through HEPA media without restricting the main system. Aprilaire 2410 is our standard install. Allergy and asthma sufferers consistently report life-changing improvement.
A constantly damp indoor coil is a mold farm. UV-C light mounted to shine on the coil sterilizes the surface continuously, preventing growth. Bulbs last 1 year. This is genuine, documented technology — different from air-stream UV which doesn't work because air moves too fast for adequate exposure. We install UV-C on every air handler showing mold pressure.
Holding indoor humidity at 45–55% solves more IAQ problems than any filter. Mold needs above 60% to grow. Dust mites die below 50%. Many viruses die below 45%. Standard AC sometimes can't hold 55% during mild weather — short cycles don't run long enough to dehumidify. We install whole-house dehumidifiers (Ultra-Aire, Honeywell DH150) that hold setpoint independently of cooling demand.
Tightly sealed homes build up CO2, VOCs, and humidity. The fix is controlled outdoor-air ventilation — but in Florida, you can't just open a damper because you'd flood the house with humidity. Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) bring in fresh air while exchanging humidity and temperature with the exhaust air, delivering filtered outdoor air at indoor conditions. We install Panasonic and Broan ERVs for homes with measured high CO2 or strong off-gassing.
Ozone generators (lung damage), ionic 'air purifiers' (generate ozone as a byproduct, no measurable cleaning), duct cleaning unless there's documented contamination (EPA finds minimal benefit on maintained systems), and the cheap UV wands that claim air-stream sterilization. Florida HVAC has plenty of legit products — we sell only what's been tested and verified.
We do IAQ assessments that measure humidity, particulates, CO2, and VOC levels in your home over a 24–48 hour logging period, then recommend specific solutions ranked by impact-per-dollar. Most homeowners need 2–3 targeted upgrades, not the kitchen-sink approach competitors push.
“My highest recommendations for Devon and the Maritime Air team — thorough, honest, and on time. They explained everything in plain language and didn't push any unnecessary upsells.”
“Devon has provided thorough maintenance and excellent service. Truly family-owned care — they treat your home like it's their own. Highly recommend for Treasure Coast homeowners.”
“Working with Devon on my HVAC system was a great experience from start to finish. Fair, clean install, and the system has been running perfectly through Florida summer heat.”
Real installs and repairs we've completed across the Treasure Coast.
High outdoor humidity that ventilation can't dehumidify, year-round mold pressure, pollen season that runs 9+ months, salt-air corrosion of HVAC components, and tightly sealed homes that trap VOCs and CO2.
Whole-house HEPA and electronic air cleaners work. Portable units in one room have limited impact. Marketing-driven 'ionic' or 'ozone' purifiers can actually harm indoor air. We recommend what's been independently tested.
MERV 11–13 is the sweet spot for most Treasure Coast homes — captures pollen, mold spores, and pet dander without restricting airflow. Going to MERV 16 requires verifying your blower can handle the static pressure increase, otherwise you damage the motor.
Yes, when it's the right type and properly sized. We install whole-house HEPA bypass filters (Aprilaire 2410) that pull a portion of return air through high-efficiency filtration without affecting main duct static pressure. Most allergy sufferers report 60–80% symptom improvement within 30 days.
Effective for sterilizing the indoor coil (preventing mold growth on a constantly damp surface). Less effective for treating air in motion through the system. We install coil-mounted UV-C as part of mold prevention; we don't sell air-stream UV because the dwell time is too short to be meaningful.
Almost always humidity over 60% feeding mold growth somewhere — usually inside the air handler, on the coil, or in the ductwork. The smell comes through the supply vents. Fix the humidity first, then sanitize the system.
45–55% RH year-round. Above 60% allows mold and dust mite growth. Below 35% causes wood floor gaps and respiratory irritation. Florida homes typically need a dehumidifier addition to maintain proper levels — your AC alone usually can't hold it during shoulder seasons.
Only when there's documented contamination — visible mold growth, rodent infestation, post-construction debris, or after a water event. Routine duct cleaning marketed for 'better air quality' has been shown by the EPA to have minimal benefit on a maintained system.
Call (772) 236-4277 or schedule online. Class-A licensed across the Treasure Coast.
