Wildfire smoke can travel thousands of miles from its origin, affecting air quality and people’s well-being in different states and even different countries. When wildfire smoke affects a specific region, experts recommend staying indoors, avoiding extreme physical activity, and minimizing your exposure. However, even when you stay inside, tiny particles from wildfire smoke can make their way into your home, potentially impacting your health. We spoke to Jim Foster, a Virtual HVAC Expert at American Home Shield, to share the best way to maintain good indoor air quality when your area is affected by wildfire smoke.
What’s Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a term used to track and measure the quality of the air in indoor spaces, such as office buildings, restaurants, and homes. Indoor pollutants, including fuel-burning appliances (stoves, heating systems, and water heating systems), building materials, tobacco products, mold, and more, can affect your home’s air quality. However, outdoor air pollution, such as wildfire smoke, can make its way inside your home and make things even worse.
Related: Air Purifier vs Humidifier: Pros, Cons, and Health Benefits Explained
How Wildfire Smoke Worsens Your Indoor Air Quality
Wildfire smoke can make its way inside your home through air leaks, open doors and windows, closed windows and doors that aren’t airtight, and even ventilation systems.
“Once inside, fine particles and gases can build up, settle on surfaces, and continue affecting indoor air quality even after the conditions improve outside,” explains Foster.
The pollutants and particle matter produced by wildfire smoke can significantly affect your health, especially your lungs.
Ways to Maintain Good Air Quality When Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Region
When wildfire smoke is affecting the outdoor air quality, it is extremely important that you maintain good indoor air quality to stay healthy. Here are some steps Foster recommends:
- Keep your doors and windows shut: During this period, skip opening your window to air out your home and only open your main door when necessary.
- Fix air leaks: Before bad air comes to your town, assess and fix any air leaks around your windows.
- Set your AC to recirculating mode: Whether you have central AC or window units, this step will recirculate the air inside the home and won’t pull air from outside.
- Run a HEPA filter: This type of air purifier can help clean and clear your indoor air by collecting tiny airborne particles. It also helps remove bacteria, dust, pollen, and mold particles.
- Avoid activities that can generate pollutants: Burning candles, smoking, frying foods, and even vacuuming without a proper HEPA filter can affect the indoor air quality of your home.
- Keep your HVAC system running smoothly. Foster emphasizes the importance of keeping your HVAC system in “the best shape possible,” as it can help minimize the effects of pollutants and improve the air quality of your home.
Related: How Often Should You Change Your HVAC Filter and Which One Is Best for Your Home?
Central AC vs Window AC Units: Which Is Better for Wildfire Smoke?
Central ACs provide the most protection against wildfire smoke compared to window AC units. Central AC systems offer better home air filtration when they run continuously, set to recirculating mode, and are paired with a high-quality air filter such as MERV-13 or higher, notes Foster, though the filter needs to be compatible with your unit.
On the other hand, window AC units can let outdoor air in through vents or gaps. If you have a window unit in your home, ensure there are no air gaps and that it is well insulated. Tip: A window AC insulation kit can make your room airtight and more energy efficient.
Once the outdoor air quality has improved, it is recommended that you ventilate your home and clean surfaces in case any smoke particles are stuck to the surface of your furniture.
Source: Life – Fitness – mensjournal
