Back in 1953, there were only 453,000 homes in the United States that had air conditioning. In those days, people were still trying to figure out if AC and TV were going to catch on! 
We think it is safe to say that both caught on pretty well.
Today, major manufactures of heating and air conditioning equipment like Lennox, are investing millions to meet the new demands of the air conditioned home - indoor air quality (IAQ). It is not just about comfort anymore, it is about health.
According to the EPA, Americans invested over 20 billion dollars last year alone on their indoor air quality. In todays world, spending a dollar on a bottle of water does not even phase us, as we have learned about the chemicals and particles in most tap water and have adjusted our perspective. But do you think that most people would have spent a buck on a bottle of water 10-15 years ago? Probably not.
Homeowners, physicians and pharmaceutical companys are keenly aware of the importance of good IAQ. It makes sense, since each of us inhales about 6,000 quarts of air each day. Have you noticed the TV ads that pharmaceutical companies are now running geared toward "Indoor Air Allergies?" Why cure the problem at its source when we can just pop a pill?
Spend some time on this page, and learn how far we have advanced on creating and maintaining excellent IAQ in homes. You will be surprised at how much better you will feel. You will literally, "breathe" the difference.
Bradley Mechanical was one of the first Central Virginia contractors to take the lead in offering the best IAQ solutions to our customers.
We have installed IAQ equipment in many homes, significantly helping those with allergies, asthma and others who just enjoy clean, crisp indoor air. Keeping HVAC systems clean has always been a fundamental of IAQ that is often overlooked by many customers and contractors. Think for a moment of the many things in your home that you constantly clean. How long would you put up with dirty sheets or an over loaded dishwasher? The answer is a unanimous, never! The same attitude needs to apply to your heating and air conditioning system. In order for the air in your home to remain fresh, the system needs to be professionally cleaned twice per year. That is where our Precision IAQ TuneUps come into play. We use AirFlow Plus+ a product developed by CleanBreeze of America. The product is formulated for total source removal. This means we are able to cleanse your evaporator coil and condenser unit of dirt, allergens and other microscopic irritants that can make you uncomfortable and aggravate allergies and asthma. Our technicians are trained and certified by CleanBreeze of America, an organization that specializes in training contractors on issues concerning indoor air quality. Bradley Mechanical is the only Central Virginia HVAC contractor that is certified by CleanBreeze of America. 
We first remove accumulations of dirt, allergens and dust that make your air stale and starve your system of airflow, and then we can treat the evaporator coil with EPA registered products that help protect against microbial growth. Our IAQ Tune-ups have been proven to increase airflow by as much as 83 percent and lower energy usage by as much as 14 percent. This twice per year service is essential in our climate. Have a question about the IAQ in your home? Click here for a prompt answer.
Rick Foate, the head of our indoor air quality division is a Certified Indoor Environmentalist (CIE). He is also an invited member of Lennox Industries' 2005-2006 International Indoor Air Quality Advisory Board. Only 10 Lennox dealers out of over 8000 were invited to serve on this board.
It is not just about comfort anymore.
We used to just be concerned about keeping our families comfortable when investing in HVAC systems. Our homes today are more energy efficient than ever and that means tight. 
Air does not infiltrate indoors like it used to, so we now have to pay more attention to high efficiency filtration to keep our indoor air clean and healthy.
What is in my air that should concern me?
More than you might believe. Volatile organic compounds, airborne particulates, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and excessive humidity are some of the things we check for with our AirAdvice IAQ monitors. We can provide you with a detailed report outlining what is floating around in your air that you cannot see, but do breathe.
Learn how our IAQ Precision Tune-ups can help you by visiting our IAQ TuneUps page.
The Bradley Mechanical Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Division offers many IAQ products, with each system tailored to your needs. Click on the pictures to learn more.
The components shown below are an example of the technology we have available to improve your indoor air quality. An indoor air quality audit utilizing an AirAdvice Monitor will enable us to determine what component(s) you may need. Every home has different needs and we strive to match your needs with the best solutions the HVAC industry has to offer you and your family.
PureAir, The Ulimate Single Component Air Purifier
The Lennox PureAir is a very effective, top of the line component that will filter airborne particulates down to 3 microns, remove pollen dust, dirt, pet dander, bioaerosols, bacteria, viruses, molds, and fungi. A second chamber in the unit removes odors and chemicals including pet odors, cooking smells, perfumes, tobacco smoke, chlorine, paint smells and solvents. The perfect choice for those who demand excellent IAQ combined with odor removal.
Healthy Climate 16 Media Air Cleaner.
Innovation in media filtration for a cleaner, healthier home. You can count on the Healthy Climate 16 media air cleaner for superior results. Unlike portable filtration units that only solve part of the problem (one room at a time), the HC16 addresses the whole problem. Designed to work with your heating and cooling systems, it installs easily into your ductwork and enhances the air throughout your home, capturing 95% of the fine airborne particulates. These fine particles are allergy aggravating irritants that are easily inhaled deep into your lungs. It would take 88 of the highest rated portable air cleaners to match the efficiency of one HP16! That would be at a cost of over $34,000.
Humiditrol Whole-Home Dehumidification System.
Total home comfort for optimal indoor air quality and moisture control. Designed to easily integrate with all Lennox R410A refrigerant systems to provide optimal comfort, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Removes up to 600 pints of moisture per day helping to significantly reduce the humid conditions in your home that serve as a breeding ground for mold, mildew and dust mite problems. The Humiditrol whole-home dehumidification system outperforms competitors 3 to 1. It requires no separate condenser (Outdoor unit), no separate power supply, condensate piping or controls. The unit is designed to integrate with the humidity control features of the Lennox SignatureStat. Anyone in the Central Virginia market that has mold allergies should seriously consider this technology. You will be able to have greater comfort at higher thermostat settings by ridding your home of excess humidity.
A common measure of humidity is the dew point, the temperature at which condensation occurs. When the outdoor dew point is high, your homes humidity will also be high. That is because air from the outside enters your home through windows, doors, vents, cracks and other openings.
As outdoor moisture mixes with warm indoor air, humidity levels increase. Household activities like cooking, showering and doing the laundry also affect indoor humidity.
During the summer, many people try to cope with high humidity by lowering their thermostats while their air conditioners are in operation. But this can increase utility bills and make homes feel too cold, rather than comfortable. Plus, during months with milder temperatures, the air conditioner may not control humidity as well because it only runs when the temperature rises above the thermostat setpoint. A good example of this is a mild rainy spring day. In, Virginia, humidity control can even be an issue based on the time of day. Humidity levels are high in the morning but mild temperatures keep the air conditioner from running. Independent humidity control is required until the humidity is burned off later in the day.
The Humiditrol whole-home dehumidification system uses patented Lennox technology to deliver a level of comfort beyond what is provided by traditional cooling systems. It helps control the amount of moisture in your homes air, so you can enjoy greater comfort and healthier air quality season after season, year after year.
During the winter months humidity decreases dramatically. Low humidity levels indoors can cause a build up of static electricity, dry skin, coughs, and breathing difficulities in asthma sufferers. We offer a wide range of whole home humidifiers including steam units from EWC. Steam humidifiers are by far the most effective way to introduce comfort producing humidity to your home during the winter. Steam units will humidify regardless of whether your thermostat is calling for heat. All other units will not operate unless the system is already in heating mode.
The Lennox whole house HEPA (High Efficency Particulate Air) is the best particulate filter on the planet, filtering out 99.79% of all airborne particulates. It is designed as a bypass unit, making installation easier in attics and crawl spaces and also for older systems where pressure drop is an issue. Ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers. These modules are sometimes covered by your health insurance if prescribed by your physician.
Steril-Aire's manufactures their multi-patented UVC Emittersª. These safe yet powerful UVC lights work within your existing heating and air conditioning system to kill both surface and airborne microorganisms on the evaporator coil. An excellent choice when preparing a home for a newborn, for the return of a loved one who has just had major surgery or to provide additional protection for the elderly.
*For qualified customers and subject to credit approval.