Wildfire Smoke & Indoor Air Quality in Parker

Colorado summers are made for backyard barbecues, mountain weekends and spending more time outside.

Unfortunately, they’ve also become known for something we’d all rather avoid:

Smoky skies.

Sometimes the fire is nearby. Other times, the wildfire responsible for the haze may be hundreds or even thousands of miles away.

Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment notes that wildfire smoke can affect air quality across the state, including smoke transported into Colorado from fires outside the state.

So you close the windows, shut the doors and head inside.

Problem solved, right?

Not necessarily.

Outdoor wildfire smoke can make its way into your home, which means smoky outdoor air can become an indoor air quality problem too.

Here’s what Parker homeowners should know and what you can do about it.

Can Wildfire Smoke Get Inside Your House?

Yes.

Closing your doors and windows can significantly reduce the amount of outdoor smoke entering your home, but it doesn’t create an airtight seal.

Smoke can find its way inside through:

• Gaps around doors and windows
• Cracks and other small air leaks
• Outdoor air intakes
• Ventilation systems
• Opening exterior doors
• Certain cooling systems that bring outdoor air inside

Wildfire smoke contains extremely small particles, including fine particulate matter known as PM2.5.

These particles are small enough to travel deep into the lungs, which is one reason health and environmental agencies pay so much attention to wildfire smoke.

That’s also why simply being able to see or smell smoke isn’t the best measure of what’s in the air.

How Do You Know When Colorado Air Quality Is Bad?

One of the easiest things homeowners can do is check the Air Quality Index, or AQI.

The AQI gives outdoor air quality a numerical rating.

Colorado uses these general ranges:

• 0-50: Good
• 51-100: Moderate
• 101-150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
• 151-200: Unhealthy
• 201-300: Very unhealthy
• 301+: Hazardous

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides current air-quality information and recommends resources such as AirNow and the Colorado Smoke Blog for wildfire and smoke conditions.

When the sky starts looking hazy, checking the AQI can help you understand what’s actually happening outside.

Does Closing Your Windows Keep Wildfire Smoke Out?

It helps.

During periods of poor outdoor air quality, the EPA recommends keeping windows and doors closed as much as practical.

But there’s another part homeowners sometimes overlook:

Your HVAC system.

Depending on how your home’s heating and cooling system is configured, there may be settings or equipment that affect how much outdoor air enters the house.

If your system has a fresh-air intake, EPA guidance recommends closing that intake or putting the system into recirculation mode during wildfire smoke events.

That allows your system to focus on circulating and filtering the air already inside rather than intentionally bringing smoky outdoor air into the house.

Not sure whether your HVAC system has an outdoor air intake?

That’s something an HVAC technician can help you identify.

What’s the Best HVAC Filter for Wildfire Smoke?

This is where filtration really matters.

Not every HVAC filter captures the same types or sizes of particles.

Filters are commonly rated using something called MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.

Generally, a higher MERV rating means the filter is more effective at capturing certain smaller particles.

For wildfire smoke, the EPA recommends using a MERV 13 filter, or the highest-efficiency filter your HVAC system can safely accommodate.

That last part is important.

Don’t Automatically Install the Highest-MERV Filter You Can Find

More filtration isn’t always as simple as buying the thickest or highest-rated filter at the hardware store.

Your HVAC system needs adequate airflow.

Installing a filter your system isn’t designed to handle could restrict airflow and potentially affect system performance.

That’s why EPA guidance recommends checking with an HVAC professional if you’re unsure what filtration level your equipment can accommodate.

The goal isn’t simply:

“Buy the highest number.”

It’s:

Use the most effective filtration that works properly with your HVAC system.

Should You Run Your HVAC Fan When It’s Smoky Outside?

If your system is configured to recirculate indoor air and has an effective filter installed, running the HVAC fan more frequently can help move indoor air through that filter.

In fact, during wildfire smoke events, the EPA recommends running the central HVAC fan as often as possible to increase filtration.

That may mean temporarily changing your thermostat’s fan setting from AUTO to ON during especially smoky periods.

But again, there’s an important caveat.

If your system is intentionally bringing fresh outdoor air into the house, you first want to make sure it’s configured properly for smoky conditions.

If you aren’t sure how your system works, ask.

That’s a much better plan than guessing.

Change Your HVAC Filter More Often During Wildfire Smoke

If there’s heavy smoke outside for several days, your HVAC filter may collect particles more quickly than normal.

Don’t assume the usual replacement schedule automatically applies.

Check the filter.

If it looks heavily loaded or dirty, it may need to be replaced sooner.

EPA specifically recommends checking filters frequently during wildfire smoke events and replacing them when they become dirty.

This is one of the simplest steps you can take to help your HVAC filtration system do its job.

Can a Portable HEPA Air Purifier Help With Wildfire Smoke?

Yes.

Portable air cleaners can be very useful, especially if you’re trying to improve air quality in a bedroom, living room or another area where your family spends a lot of time.

The EPA recommends selecting an air cleaner that is properly sized for the room and designed to produce little or no ozone.

HEPA filtration is particularly useful for capturing fine airborne particles.

Colorado health officials also recommend HEPA filtration for removing smoke and other fine particles from indoor air.

For many homes, combining effective central HVAC filtration with a properly sized portable HEPA unit in frequently used rooms can provide another layer of protection.

Create a Cleaner-Air Room During Heavy Smoke

If wildfire smoke becomes particularly bad, consider designating one room in your house as a cleaner-air room.

Pick a bedroom, family room or another space where everyone can comfortably spend time.

Then:

• Keep windows and doors closed
• Minimize unnecessary trips in and out
• Run a properly sized portable air cleaner
• Keep the space comfortably cool
• Avoid activities that create additional indoor particles

EPA recommends this approach when outdoor smoke is significantly affecting air quality.

You don’t necessarily have to turn your entire house into a clean room.

Creating one space with particularly good filtration can be useful when outdoor conditions are at their worst.

Don’t Make the Air Inside Worse

When it’s smoky outside and the house is closed up, it becomes even more important not to create unnecessary air pollution indoors.

During wildfire smoke events, EPA guidance recommends limiting activities that produce additional particles, including:

• Burning candles
• Smoking or vaping indoors
• Using fireplaces
• Frying or broiling foods for long periods
• Using aerosol sprays
• Vacuuming without appropriate filtration

This isn’t about turning your home into a laboratory.

It’s simply about recognizing that when you’re trying to keep polluted outdoor air out, it doesn’t make much sense to create more particles indoors.

Why Does My House Still Smell Smoky With the Windows Closed?

Smoke odors are extremely good at getting people’s attention.

Sometimes you walk into the house and immediately think:

“Why does it smell like a campfire in here?”

Smoke may have entered when a door was opened, through small air leaks or through the home’s ventilation system.

Some odors and gaseous pollutants also behave differently from the particles captured by a standard HVAC filter.

That’s why indoor air quality isn’t necessarily solved with one product.

Depending on the problem, a home may benefit from a combination of:

• Better HVAC filtration
• Air sealing
• Portable HEPA filtration
• Activated carbon filtration for certain odors and gases
• HVAC adjustments
• Whole-home indoor air quality equipment

The right solution depends on your home and what you’re trying to accomplish.

What About Whole-Home Air Purifiers?

Whole-home indoor air quality systems can add another layer to your home’s HVAC setup.

Unlike a portable purifier that treats one room, an in-duct system works as part of the home’s heating and cooling system.

First String Heating installs the REME HALO Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier, which is designed to work with an HVAC system to help reduce certain airborne contaminants, odors, allergens and other indoor-air-quality concerns.

The manufacturer describes REME HALO as an in-duct whole-home air purification system designed to reduce airborne contaminants throughout conditioned living spaces.

It’s important to understand that a whole-home air purification device does not replace proper particulate filtration for wildfire smoke.

For smoke particles specifically, good HVAC filtration remains one of the most important pieces of the puzzle.

But if you’re looking at your home’s indoor air quality more broadly, an in-duct air purification system may be worth discussing.

Special Indoor Air Quality Offer From First String Heating

If you’ve been thinking about adding whole-home air purification, First String Heating is currently offering the:

REME HALO Whole Home Air Purifier for $1,050

Normally $1,499

The REME HALO is professionally installed directly into your HVAC system, allowing it to work throughout your home’s conditioned air.

If you’re interested, we’ll first look at your existing HVAC setup and talk with you about what you’re trying to improve.

Sometimes better filtration is the answer.

Sometimes an air purification system makes sense.

Sometimes you need a combination of solutions.

We’ll help you figure out what’s appropriate for your home instead of simply selling you equipment you don’t need.

7 Things to Do When Wildfire Smoke Reaches Parker

If you wake up to another smoky Colorado morning, start here:

1. Check the AQI

Use current air-quality information to understand what’s happening outside.

2. Close Windows and Doors

Keep smoky outdoor air outside as much as possible.

3. Check Your HVAC Settings

If your system has a fresh-air intake, switch to recirculation or close the outdoor intake during smoky conditions.

4. Check Your HVAC Filter

Make sure it’s clean, installed correctly and appropriate for your system.

5. Consider Better Filtration

Ask whether your system can accommodate MERV 13 or another high-efficiency filter.

6. Run Your HVAC Fan More Often

With the correct filter and system configuration, increased circulation can help move more indoor air through the filter.

7. Consider Additional Air Cleaning

Portable HEPA air cleaners, properly designed whole-home filtration and other indoor-air-quality products may help depending on your home’s needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wildfire Smoke and Indoor Air Quality

Can wildfire smoke get inside a closed house?

Yes. Closing doors and windows reduces smoke infiltration, but homes aren’t completely airtight. Smoke particles can enter through gaps, doors, ventilation systems and other pathways.

What HVAC filter is best for wildfire smoke?

EPA recommends a MERV 13 filter, or the highest efficiency filter your HVAC system can safely accommodate. Before installing a higher-efficiency filter, make sure it is compatible with your equipment.

Should I run my AC when it’s smoky outside?

Generally, you can continue using central air conditioning to keep your home comfortable. If your system brings outdoor air inside, EPA recommends closing the fresh-air intake or using recirculation mode during smoky conditions.

Should I run my HVAC fan continuously during wildfire smoke?

Running the fan more frequently can increase the amount of indoor air passing through your HVAC filter. EPA recommends running the fan as often as possible during wildfire smoke events when using effective filtration.

Does a regular furnace filter remove wildfire smoke?

Some filters capture significantly more fine particles than others. A basic filter designed mainly to protect HVAC equipment may not capture fine smoke particles as effectively as a high-efficiency filter.

Is MERV 13 safe for every HVAC system?

Not necessarily. The filter must be compatible with your system’s fan and filter setup. Have an HVAC professional check if you’re uncertain.

Will an air purifier get rid of smoke smell?

Different air-cleaning technologies target different pollutants. Particle filtration can reduce airborne smoke particles, while activated carbon may help with certain odors and gaseous pollutants. No single product solves every indoor-air-quality issue.

You Can’t Control the Colorado Sky. You Can Improve the Air Inside Your Home.

Wildfire smoke may be part of Colorado summers.

That doesn’t mean you have to completely ignore what’s happening inside your house.

A few smart changes to your HVAC filtration and indoor-air-quality strategy can make a meaningful difference:

Keep smoke out.

Filter the air that’s already inside.

Make sure your HVAC system is configured correctly.

And don’t wait until the sky turns orange to figure out how your system works.

At First String Heating, we can evaluate your current HVAC system, filtration and indoor-air-quality setup and explain your options.

Maybe you just need a better filter.

Maybe your HVAC system needs an adjustment.

Maybe you’re interested in whole-home air purification.

We’ll help you determine what makes sense for your home and budget.

And right now, we’re offering the REME HALO Whole Home Air Purifier for $1,050, normally $1,499.

If you’re concerned about wildfire smoke, odors, allergens or the overall air quality inside your Parker-area home, give us a call.

Call First String Heating at (303) 250-4422 to schedule an Indoor Air Quality Evaluation.

Because when the air outside gets smoky, home should still feel like the place where you can breathe a little easier.