Protecting Your Indoor Air Quality During Bay Area Wildfire Season

Wildfire smoke has become an annual concern for Bay Area residents, with smoke events lasting days or even weeks. The fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke -- PM2.5 -- penetrates deep into the lungs and poses serious health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and anyone with respiratory conditions. Here is how to protect your indoor air quality when smoke rolls in.

Seal Your Home

The first step is keeping smoke out. Close all windows and doors. Check that weatherstripping is intact. Seal any obvious gaps around doors, windows, and utility penetrations. If your home is particularly leaky, consider temporary caulk or weather tape around the worst gaps.

Run Your HVAC on Fan Mode

Set your thermostat to FAN ON rather than AUTO. This circulates air through your HVAC filter continuously rather than only when the system is heating or cooling. Make sure you have a high-quality filter installed -- MERV 13 is ideal for capturing fine smoke particles. If your system can not handle MERV 13, use the highest MERV rating your blower can manage without straining.

Upgrade Your HVAC Filtration

If wildfire smoke is a recurring concern, consider upgrading to a media filter cabinet or whole-home HEPA filtration system. These capture significantly more fine particles than standard 1-inch filters and do not need changing as frequently during extended smoke events.

Add Portable HEPA Purifiers

For bedrooms and home offices, a portable HEPA air purifier provides an extra layer of protection. Size the purifier for the room and run it on a high setting during smoke events. HEPA filters capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, effectively removing most smoke particles.

Check and Replace Filters Frequently

During active smoke events, check your HVAC filter every few days. Smoke particles clog filters much faster than normal dust and pollen. A clogged filter restricts airflow, reduces HVAC efficiency, and can no longer capture particles effectively. Stock up on replacement filters before fire season starts.

Avoid Creating Indoor Pollutants

During smoke events, avoid activities that add particulates to your indoor air: do not burn candles, use the fireplace, smoke indoors, or use aerosol products. Cook with your range hood running on high to exhaust cooking particles.

Long-Term Solutions

If you want year-round protection against wildfire smoke, outdoor pollutants, and allergens, a whole-home air purification system is the most comprehensive solution. PCG Climate installs systems that combine HEPA filtration, activated carbon for smoke odors, and UV germicidal treatment for biological contaminants. Contact us for an assessment of your home air quality needs.