They say that it never rains in Southern California…
While that is not entirely true, it does describe at least part of the year from mid-spring through early fall. And these drought conditions increase the risk of fires running wild, as foliage turns into a tinderbox and wildfire smoke becomes an everyday occurrence.
The likelihood of wildfires in areas like Ventura County means that locals have to be intentional about protecting their indoor air quality. To that end, here are some ideas from AirWorks Solutions’ HVAC and air quality experts.
Why Wildfire Smoke Is a Concern for Ventura County Residents
Breathing in any type of smoke hurts your respiratory system, but wildfire smoke can be particularly hazardous.
Typically, the smoke from a wildfire will contain chemicals and particles that:
- Cause respiratory irritation
- Exacerbate existing health conditions
- Weaken your immune system
- Contribute to chronic disease
The biggest worry about wildfire smoke pollution in Ventura County is particulate matter, the tiny bits of liquids and solids that can lodge deep within the lungs. The PM2.5 particles in the smoke cause smoke-related disease.
Even if you don’t have a chronic illness like asthma, COPD, or heart disease, breathing in these particles is detrimental.
Protecting Your Home and Family From the Effects of Wildfire Smoke
Your home may not be in imminent danger from the flames themselves, but an active blaze nearby creates hazardous levels of wildfire smoke that can enter through:
- Natural ventilation (open doors and windows)
- Mechanical ventilation (your HVAC system)
- Infiltration (small openings in the building or roof)
If you’d like to stay healthy, take this multi-pronged approach whenever there’s smoke in the area:
- Keep the doors and windows closed.
- Change the HVAC system setting so it doesn’t pull in outside air (recirculate) or close the outdoor intake damper.
- Turn off the whole–house fan, especially if it lacks a high-efficiency filter.
- Use portable air filtration devices in individual rooms.
- Avoid creating more fine particulate matter inside, like burning candles, vacuuming, or frying food.
A high-efficiency HVAC filter during wildfire season could considerably improve your home’s air quality. Better yet, consider installing an iWave Air Purifier or Phenomenal Aire System, which actively removes pollutants, allergens, and even smoke particles from the air.
Air scrubbers and UV lights are also great options for sterilizing air and eliminating harmful particles before they circulate in your home.
Always Be Prepared for Wildfires
Wildfires and their smoke are a fact of life in Southern California. Fortunately, you can prepare your home for the season by keeping up with HVAC maintenance tasks.
Keep indoor air more fresh and clean by doing the following:
- Change HVAC air filters regularly, typically, every 30 to 60 days.
- Use MERV-rated filters of at least 12. That’s FPR 8-10 for Honeywell filters or MPR 2200 or better for 3M Filtrete.
- Annual air duct cleaning eliminates dust, smoke particles, and contaminants that build up to pollute your air and impact HVAC efficiency. Be sure to schedule duct cleaning just after wildfire season to reduce the lingering effects.
Protect Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Season
Wildfire smoke is a real concern in California, but with help from AirWorks Solutions, you can protect your family’s air.
Call (805) 312-9539 to chat about indoor air quality solutions, including duct and dryer vent cleaning, in Ventura County.
