Protecting Your Indoor Air DUring wildfire season
Wildfire Smoke and Your Home: Protecting Your Indoor Air This Season
Colorado summers are beautiful, but in recent years, wildfire smoke has become an unwelcome guest. Even if a fire is hundreds of miles away, wind can carry smoke into the Denver metro area, creating hazy skies and poor air quality for days — sometimes weeks.
While we can’t control the air outside, we can take steps to keep the air inside our homes cleaner and healthier. Here’s what you can do to prepare your home and HVAC system for wildfire season.
Upgrade Your Air Filter
During wildfire season, a basic fiberglass filter isn’t enough to capture fine smoke particles. Look for a pleated filter with a MERV rating of at least 11 (preferably 13 if your system can handle it). Pro Tip: Change your filter more often during smoky stretches — sometimes as often as every 30 days.
Switch Your System to “Recirculate”
If your HVAC system has a “recirculate” or “closed” mode, use it during smoky days. This keeps your system from pulling in more smoky outdoor air. For homes with fresh-air intake systems, temporarily shutting them off can also help.
Consider a Whole-Home Air Purifier
A whole-home air purifier, installed directly in your HVAC system, can remove smoke particles and even some odors before the air reaches your rooms. This is especially helpful if someone in your household has asthma or allergies.
Seal the Leaks
Smoke can enter through tiny gaps around windows, doors, and ductwork. Weatherstripping, caulking, and duct sealing can go a long way toward keeping outside air where it belongs — outside.
Use Portable HEPA Units for Extra Protection
For bedrooms or home offices, portable HEPA air purifiers can give you an added layer of defense. Just be sure to keep the doors and windows closed so they can work effectively.
Schedule an HVAC Inspection
If your system has been running through smoky conditions, a professional check-up ensures your coils, blower, and ductwork aren’t clogged with fine ash and debris — which can hurt efficiency and indoor air quality. Call us (720) 799-5773
Bottom line: Wildfire season may be out of our control, but the quality of your indoor air doesn’t have to be. With the right filtration, system settings, and sealing, you can breathe easier — even when the skies outside are hazy.