- HEP
- Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning
Air Conditioning | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Hillsboro
Breathe easy in Hillsboro with HEP’s seasoned HVAC pros by your side. From sizzling July afternoons to the damp chill that rolls in off the Tualatin River, our mission is to keep every room in your home perfectly balanced—cool, warm, and refreshingly clean. We focus on ventilation and air quality so you can enjoy crisp, contaminant-free air while lowering energy bills and protecting your family’s health.
Whether you need a whisper-quiet heat pump, a complete ductwork overhaul, or an advanced air scrubber, HEP tailors solutions to match your lifestyle and budget. Our technicians arrive on time, explain every option in plain language, and back their work with rock-solid guarantees. Schedule your free assessment today and discover why Hillsboro homeowners turn to HEP when comfort and clean air truly matter.
FAQs
How often should I change my HVAC air filter in Hillsboro’s climate?
In Hillsboro, most homes use a standard 1-inch pleated filter that should be changed every 60–90 days. If you have pets, allergies, or if wildfire smoke is present, inspect the filter monthly and replace it as soon as it appears dirty. A clean filter keeps airflow unrestricted, protects the blower motor, and helps maintain healthy indoor air throughout the wet winter and pollen-heavy spring seasons.
What ventilation solutions help control humidity and prevent mold in the Pacific Northwest?
Because Hillsboro experiences long periods of rain and mild temperatures, excess indoor humidity is common. A balanced mechanical ventilation system—such as a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)—exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while retaining most of the heating or cooling energy. Pairing this with properly sized bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans (rated at least 1 cfm per square foot of floor area in those rooms) keeps relative humidity between 30 % and 50 %, which discourages mold and protects building materials.
How does a Heat Recovery Ventilator improve both energy efficiency and air quality?
An HRV pulls in fresh outdoor air and simultaneously expels stale indoor air through a core that transfers heat from one airstream to the other. In winter, up to 80 % of the heat in the outgoing air is transferred to the incoming air, so your furnace works less. In summer, the opposite occurs, reducing cooling demand. Beyond energy savings, an HRV removes pollutants such as VOCs, carbon dioxide, and excess moisture, delivering a steady supply of filtered, tempered air year-round.
Can an air purifier really help during Oregon’s wildfire season?
Yes. During wildfire smoke events, a whole-home air purifier with a true HEPA filter (MERV 16 or higher) captures up to 99.97 % of particles as small as 0.3 microns—including smoke, ash, and soot. When outdoor air quality is rated ‘Unhealthy,’ keep windows closed, set your HVAC blower to ‘ON’ so air continually circulates through the purifier, and replace the HEPA cartridge once the smoke event ends or when the pressure drop indicator shows it is clogged.
What are common indicators that my home has poor indoor air quality?
Frequent dust buildup, persistent musty or chemical odors, condensation on windows, worsening allergies or asthma, unexplained headaches or fatigue, and visible mold growth are red flags. If you notice any of these, schedule an indoor air quality assessment. Technicians will measure particulate levels, humidity, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to pinpoint the source and recommend solutions such as duct sealing, upgraded filtration, or ventilation improvements.
How often should I schedule professional maintenance for my heating and cooling system?
Plan for two precision tune-ups each year—furnace service in early fall and air-conditioning service in spring. A certified technician will clean the coils, test refrigerant levels, calibrate thermostat settings, inspect the blower, and verify safe combustion. Regular maintenance keeps your system running at peak efficiency, extends equipment life, maintains manufacturer warranties, and provides documented proof for home resale or insurance purposes.