We’re moving into the wildfire season here in Oregon, when the heat of summer pushes us into a dry fall season. Wildfires are, of course, a major danger for life and property. But even if your home isn’t in the path of a fire, wildfires create a higher risk for air pollution that affects wide areas. According to the US ENERGY STAR program, wildfire air pollution can account for health problems such as burning eyes, runny noses, and illnesses like bronchitis.
If you live in a wildfire risk area, an important way to combat these health issues is to purchase a whole-house air purifier that can protect your indoor air quality. We offer air purifier service in Florence, OR and throughout the Eugene area that can make a big difference for your family this wildfire season. We’ll look into more details below.
Why should I consider an air purifier for my home?
Air purifiers aren’t just designed to give your home a clean smell or destroy organic pollutants. They can also directly deal with the fine particles that result from wildfire smoke, which is composed of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles that result from the burning of wood and other organic materials. These fine particles are what can harm your family’s health the most. Air purifiers are highly effective at removing these particles from your indoor air during a wildfire.
How do I find the right air cleaner for my home to deal with wildfire smoke?
Selecting the appropriate air purifier for your home is essential, especially when dealing with the smoke from wildfires. The size of your home plays a critical role in determining the right air purifier. It’s always advisable to work with HVAC professionals who can assess your home’s specific needs and recommend the best air cleaning solution to ensure maximum protection against smoke particles.
Other air quality tips during wildfire
In addition to using an air purifier, here are some additional tips to maintain good indoor air quality during wildfire season:
- Use the highest fan setting during smoke events: This ensures the maximum amount of air is being filtered.
- Avoid activities that create smoke or other particles indoors: When outdoor smoke levels are high, avoid cooking on a stove, using fireplaces, smoking, or burning candles, as these can add to indoor pollution.
- Keep doors and windows closed during smoke events: This helps to prevent outdoor smoke from entering your home.
An important air filter reminder
If wildfires affect an area near you, please be prompt about changing out the standard air filter in your HVAC system. These filters trap particulate matter so it can’t enter into the HVAC system and damage it. A filter that has trapped pollutants from fires will significantly lower the air quality in your home and contribute to odors. We recommend changing the filter soon after a local fire and keeping up with a monthly filter change schedule.
If you have any questions about getting a whole-house air purifier for your home, please reach out to our team.