As we navigate through the growing impacts of our unpredictable climate, protecting our homes from smoky polluted air has become a key part of taking care of our health and wellbeing. With a few simple steps to improve the quality of your indoor air, you can create a safer home for yourself and your loved ones.
In this article, we’ve put together a list of five actions you can take to keep smoky air out of your home, created specifically for people with central air systems.
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- Seal the Leaks:
On days when the air quality in your area is poor, you can take steps to seal any potential entry points for smoke. Close doors and windows to minimize the infiltration of polluted air. Install weather stripping around windows and doors to get rid of cracks that might allow smoke to creep in. In a pinch, use cloths or towels as barriers to reinforce vulnerable areas.
– - Recirculate Indoor Air:
If you’re not using your air conditioner, or only have a furnace, set the fan to recirculate or close the fresh air intake.
If your AC unit has a control panel or thermostat, you can enter the settings on this and look for the options listed as either “Fresh Air” or “Outside Air” and switch it to “Recirculate” or “Inside Air”.
For ducted AC units, you can determine if they have a fresh air intake vent, which is a small vent that brings in air instead of relying on the AC to constantly circulate air through HVAC filters.
They are usually found outside your house near the ground, but they might also be on the roof or in the attic. You might also spot screened intake vents close to or behind your furnace or other gas appliances. If so, make sure it’s closed or switched to recirculate mode during a period of high-smoke.
In most cases, you can close the vent by moving the damper into the closed position by either turning a handle or knob, or by turning off the fan. This prevents outdoor pollutants from entering your home and helps maintain a healthier indoor environment during periods of poor air quality.
– - Maintain Your HVAC System:
Your filter will help take care of you with a little bit of regular maintenance. Here’s how: Locate your air filter in your air handling system (this is usually located either in an attic or basement) and remove it. Hold the filter up to the light, and if light doesn’t pass through, it’s time for a change. Clean or replace the filter as needed.
Home Depot has a great short video on how to do this here.
Note that disposable air filters – the ones with cardboard frames – are not meant to be replaced and should be replaced when dirty.
– - Choose the Right Filter:
Opt for air filters with a higher Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) to capture tiny smoke particles. A MERV rating of at least 11 is recommended for filtering out smoke, while a rating of 13 is considered the best protection.
Even the highest quality filter needs a bit of love and attention in order to keep you safe. Consider setting an alert in your calendar to check your filter once a month in the summer, and every other month in winter.
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- Consider Portable Air Purifiers:
For people with specific health concerns like asthma or allergies, you can consider buying or making a portable air purifier equipped with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters capture smaller particles than HVAC systems, so including them in your home helps to further improve your indoor air quality.
For more information, check out our article on the top five things to consider when buying an air purifier or learn how to build your own air purifier for half the price of buying new.
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We are committed to helping you take practical steps to create climate safe communities one breath at a time. Stay informed, stay prepared, and together, let’s build a healthier future for our homes and our planet.
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