Summary
How can homeowners improve indoor air quality during wildfire season?
To minimize exposure to wildfire smoke while indoors, homeowners should focus on three key HVAC strategies: source control, ventilation management, and high-efficiency filtration. Studies show wildfire smoke can re-enter indoor air from surfaces over time, making long-term IAQ planning essential.
How to Optimize Air Quality During Wildfire Season
As wildfires impact outdoor air quality, proactive HVAC strategies can help safeguard the air inside the home
Wildfires have become more frequent, more intense, and larger as the planet warms, creating a growing crisis for both outdoor environments and indoor air quality (IAQ). While most attention is placed on the immediate threats of flames and evacuations, their effects often extend far beyond the burn zone. Fine smoke particles and airborne pollutants can infiltrate homes and linger for months, or even years, after the smoke has cleared, making IAQ an important consideration for homeowners during wildfire season and beyond.
Understanding Wildfire Smoke and Its Effects on the Home
Wildfire smoke isn’t just made up of charred wood and plant matter; it is a complex mixture composed of water vapor and numerous pollutants, including, gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM), some of which have been associated with irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and other adverse health effects depending on the type and level of exposure.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), wildfire smoke can enter through open windows and doors, HVAC systems, and even small openings, joists, and cracks. This makes indoor air management not just a short-term need, but a long-term priority. It is also why more homeowners are searching for air filters that may help reduce the impact of wildfire smoke and improve IAQ during a wildfire event, while also addressing everyday air quality concerns such as pollution, dust, allergens, and other common contaminants, and looking to adopt HVAC strategies for poor air quality that can help their homes year-round.
HVAC systems play a vital role when it comes to defending indoor air from the impacts of wildfire smoke, but they must be set up, operated, and managed properly. To minimize exposure to harmful wildfire smoke indoors, homeowners should focus on three essential strategies: source control, ventilation management, and filtration.
Source control: four ways to keep wildfire smoke out of the home
The first step is preventing smoke and particulates from entering the home. During active wildfires or periods of drifting smoke, outdoor air can carry fine particles that are difficult to remove once inside. To minimize their entry and help reduce the burden on HVAC systems and filtration setups, homeowners should:
- Close windows and doors tightly during wildfire events.
- Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings with weather stripping or caulk.
- Limit the use of kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans, as well as other fresh air ventilation systems that can draw contaminated air in.
- Avoid indoor activities that generate additional pollutants, such as burning candles or using gas stoves without ventilation.
While blocking smoke and pollutants from entering the home is critical, it’s equally important to rethink how the home brings in and circulates air during a wildfire.
Ventilation: Know When to Pause and Adjust with Conditions
During poor air quality events, homeowners should adjust their ventilation strategy depending on outdoor conditions to avoid introducing more polluted air into the home.
- Homeowners with mechanical ventilation systems like Energy Recovery Ventilators or Heat Recovery Ventilators should temporarily disable them or use their “lockout” mode if local outdoor air quality is rated as harmful.
- The Honeywell Home ElitePRO™ smart thermostat, powered by Pro-IQ™ services, provides whole-home HVAC control that can help homeowners manage fan settings, system run times, and airflow to support filtration and IAQ during wildfire season. Supported by insights delivered through Pro-IQ services, the ElitePRO smart thermostat helps individuals better understand system operation and make informed adjustments when responding to changes in air quality. Homeowners should work with a licensed HVAC professional to ensure proper setup and system compatibility.
- Keep the HVAC system fan set to "on" instead of “auto” or “circulate” during peak smoke conditions. This will keep air moving through the home’s filters continuously, even if heating or cooling isn’t actively running.
Once outdoor air quality improves, resume ventilation to flush out indoor pollutants and refresh the air inside. From there, the next line of defense is making sure the air that does circulate through the home is as clean as possible.
Filtration: Upgrade and Maintain
Even with the best ventilation practices in place, some smoke and fine particles can still find their way indoors, especially during prolonged wildfire events. That’s where filtration plays a crucial role. High-efficiency filtration is a strong defense once particles are inside the home and can be achieved by:
- Checking HVAC filters during wildfires and replacing them as needed afterward, following the manufacturer’s recommendations and consulting an HVAC professional if assistance is required. Smoke particles are ultra-fine and can quickly overload filters not designed for high-efficiency performance, which can reduce filtration effectiveness and put additional strain on equipment.
- Using the highest MERV-rated filter a home HVAC system can accommodate. Upgrading to a filter rated MERV 13 or higher is recommended to effectively remove fine particle pollution from smoke in the indoor air.
- Installing Honeywell Home HVAC Air Filters, which are designed to capture airborne particles, including smoke, dust, and pollen. With a long-lasting, deep-pleat design, they provide consistent filtration performance and cleaner indoor air.
- Considering portable air cleaners with HEPA filters for high-use areas such as bedrooms and living rooms.
Most importantly, these improvements don’t require a full HVAC system overhaul. Even modest adjustments like sealing gaps, optimizing fan settings, or upgrading filters can lead to measurable improvements in air quality. So, whether wildfires are an occasional threat or a yearly occurrence, homeowners don’t have to feel powerless. By implementing strategies like source control, ventilation adjustments, and high-efficiency filtration, residents can substantially reduce indoor concentrations of wildfire-related pollutants, even when outdoor air quality reaches hazardous levels. For more ways to support home comfort, safety, and air quality, visit HoneywellHome.com or Resideo.com.
See also:
5 Simple Ways to Save “Green” by Going Green at Home
Stronger Together: Nationwide, Resideo Team Up to Boost Home Protection
Tips to Help your Customers Balance IAQ During Wildfire Season
Frequently Asked Questions:
How does wildfire smoke affect indoor air quality (IAQ)?
Wildfire smoke contains a complex mixture composed of water vapor and numerous pollutants, including, gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM), some of which have been associated with irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and other adverse health effects depending on the type and level of exposure. It can also enter through open windows and doors, HVAC systems, and even small openings, joists, and cracks.
What HVAC strategies help reduce wildfire smoke indoors?
Homeowners can reduce exposure by focusing on three key HVAC strategies: source control (sealing the home and limiting outdoor air intake), ventilation management (pausing fresh-air systems during poor outdoor air quality), and high-efficiency filtration (capturing fine particles once they are indoors).
What type of air filter works best for wildfire smoke?
During smoky periods, upgrading to an HVAC filter rated MERV 13 or higher is recommended to effectively remove fine particle pollution from smoke in the indoor air. Check filters during wildfires and replace them as needed afterward by following the manufacturer's recommendations and consulting an HVAC professional if assistance is required.
Should ventilation systems be turned off during wildfire smoke events?
In many cases, yes. When outdoor air quality is detrimental, mechanical ventilation systems that bring in outside air may introduce additional pollutants indoors. Temporarily disabling these systems and resuming ventilation once air quality improves can help limit indoor exposure to wildfire smoke.
