10 October 2017
 Categories: , Blog

If you live in an area that's experiencing wildfires right now, but you're not in the evacuation zone, you'll still need to be concerned about air quality. You can close all your windows, but you'll still need to make sure you have a good supply of fresh, clean air to breathe. If you have a well-maintained HVAC system for your home, you're well on your way to fresh air. During times of poor air quality, you can use your HVAC system to filter the air that's in your home. Here are three steps that will help you improve your air quality while you're waiting out the wildfires.

Use the Air Conditioner to Circulate Clean Air

With the temperatures still in the warm range, you'll want to use your air conditioner to circulate the air in your home. The first thing you should do is make sure all the doors and windows in your home are closed. You don't want any of the smoke-filled air to get inside. Next, make sure the fresh air intake vent is closed on your HVAC system. It's located next to the air handler. Closing the fresh air intake vent will prevent the outside air from flowing through the air conditioner into your home. Finally, turn your air conditioner on. The air conditioner will circulate the air inside your home, keeping the air fresh and healthy for you to breathe.

Change the Filters Frequently

While the wildfires are raging, you'll want to change your air filters frequently. Changing your filters will prevent any small particulate matter from getting into the air you're breathing. If you're noticing that your filters are extremely dirty when you change them, try changing them more frequently. This will ensure good air quality while the wildfires are active.

Leave Your Exhaust Fans Off

While the wildfires are active, it's important that you leave all your exhaust fans off. Running your exhaust fans while the wildfires are burning will allow smoke to fill your home, creating an unhealthy situation for you and your family. Once the wildfires have been extinguished and the smoke has cleared, remove the cover to your exhaust fans and clean the filters. You'll want to remove any residual smoke that might be present.

If you're living near the wildfires, you need to make sure you have plenty of fresh air to breathe. Use the tips provided here to improve the air quality in your home. Once the wildfires have been extinguished, contact an HVAC technician service, such as Air Time Heating & Cooling, and have them come out and service your HVAC system. It will need a good cleaning once the smoke clears.