Wildfire season in Southern California typically occurs between the months of May and October. During this period, a high prevalence of fires can negatively affect air quality. Exposure can lead to symptoms such as itchy and burning eyes, a scratchy throat, coughing, a stuffy nose, and shortness of breath. People with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues can greatly suffer. They head indoors for relief, but often, indoor air quality is an issue as well. Here are some steps you can take to prepare your HVAC system for wildfire season.
Change Your Filter Regularly
You need to change your HVAC filter every 30 to 90 days or so, depending on the type you’re using. If you’re running your HVAC system more frequently to keep up with poor outdoor air quality issues, then you may find it beneficial to change your filter more regularly. Check the filter or the manufacturer instructions for your HVAC system to see the recommended frequency for filter changes.
Upgrade Your Filter
You have a few different options when choosing the type of filter to use during wildfire season. Most filters are rated using the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) scale. A high MERV rating indicates that a filter is very dense and will trap many of the particulates that it encounters. Low-MERV-rated filters won’t be as effective. It’s not a good idea to immediately purchase a filter that has a very high MERV rating to improve your indoor air quality and protect your HVAC system. Your equipment can become overworked and damaged by too restrictive an air filter.
In addition to paying attention to MERV ratings, you may want to consider using a different filter type altogether. HEPA filters are very useful for removing up to 99.97% of the particles in your indoor air. This includes particulate matter from wildfire smoke in addition to pet dander, pollen, dust, mold spores, and more. Activated carbon filters are another great option. They are very effective at removing smoke and other chemicals from your indoor air. Some of these materials are combined in one filter to provide excellent indoor air quality.
Use Air Purification Devices
Many homeowners in Southern California use portable air purification units to improve indoor air quality during wildfire season. However, having a whole-house unit installed in your HVAC system is another beneficial option. Rather than addressing only a small amount of square footage at a time, a whole-house unit will promote healthy indoor air throughout your entire home as your cooling equipment runs.
Air filtration units use different types of filters to improve indoor air quality. These includes HEPA filtration, activated carbon, electrostatic filtration, and UV-C light technology. Before choosing an air purifier, it’s a good idea to start with an indoor air quality assessment. Our team will provide you with information regarding the main indoor air quality issues that you’re dealing with as well as the possibility of wildfire smoke. We can provide you with a customized recommendation for how you can promote healthy and safe indoor air throughout the wildfire season and beyond.
Address Indoor Humidity Levels
The amount of relative humidity in your home can affect the quality of your indoor air. Too much moisture in your home can lead to the increased prevalence of particulate matter in your air. When you keep the relative humidity between 35% and 55%, this will reduce the number of particulates in the air you’re breathing. Your home will also feel more comfortable, as lower humidity levels tend to feel cooler and less oppressive.
A whole-house dehumidifier can address humidity problems by drawing air through ductwork and then removing moisture by cooling the air down so that water is condensed. The water will then be discarded through a drain line attached to your dehumidifier. Usually, this moisture will be expelled into your sump pit or through a drain line in the floor.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
Running your HVAC system frequently to protect you and your family from wildfire smoke can put a lot of wear and tear on your equipment. Scheduling routine maintenance once or twice per year can ensure that everything is in working order. Any issues that are spotted early on by a professional can be promptly repaired so that a bigger problem doesn’t occur. Routine maintenance will allow the inner components of your heating and cooling equipment to be cleaned. If left unaddressed, particulate buildup can lead to the premature breakdown of your equipment.
It’s important that the refrigerant levels in your air conditioning system are checked prior to the start of the Southern California wildfire season. If levels are low, this could indicate there is a leak within your system. You may notice that your air conditioner needs to run more frequently to keep your home comfortable, and this can increase your monthly utility bills. It can also strain your entire HVAC system, leading to more frequent repairs. Routinely having your refrigerant levels checked can prevent a whole-system shutdown, which would be extremely inconvenient as well as dangerous in the middle of wildfire season.
An inspection of the electrical components in your HVAC system can ensure there are no frayed wires, broken wires, interior damage, exterior damage, etc. An inspection of your outdoor equipment will also determine that there isn’t any damage that could lead to an entire system failure. You should inspect your equipment regularly for signs of damage caused by rodents or other animals. You should also clear away any debris that has accumulated, as this can impede airflow. Keep weeds, grasses, and landscaping trimmed back so that there is plenty of clearance around your outdoor condenser or other equipment.
Call for HVAC Repairs
If you notice anything amiss with your HVAC system, you’ll want to call in someone from our experienced team as quickly as possible. Ignoring an issue often leads to bigger problems that can completely shut down your equipment. Things to watch out for include odd sounds or smells, a spike in your utility bills, inconsistent temperature control, and water pooling around your units. Our professionals can quickly take care of a small problem, saving you time and money, but it becomes a major headache when outdoor air quality decreases in the middle of wildfire season.
If you are interested in using routine maintenance and HVAC upgrades to improve indoor air quality in your home during wildfire season, reach out to We Care Plumbing, Heating, & Air for assistance. Our team can perform an indoor air quality assessment to determine the current state of your indoor air. We will offer recommendations for making improvements using air filtration, dehumidification, routine maintenance, upgraded filters, and more. We also offer repairs, maintenance, and service for your heating and cooling equipment, ductless mini-split system, and heat pump. We work on sewer lines, drains, and plumbing, too.
Contact We Care Plumbing, Heating, & Air today to schedule an appointment for service throughout Southern California.
