How To Keep Wildfire Smoke Out Of Your House?

With each passing year, wildfires seem to burn more fiercely and cover wider areas, growing by an average of 5.4% annually over the last two decades. The most intense wildfire seasons we've known have all taken place since 2004, and with them comes an unavoidable companion—smoke.

The smoke from these fires doesn't just linger in the air outside; it seeps into our homes, compromising the air we breathe and threatening our health and comfort. In this blog, I'll walk you through some effective strategies to shield your living spaces from wildfire smoke and introduce you to some of the best air filters on the market to keep your indoor air clean and safe.

Key Takeaways:

• Enhanced Filtration with MERV 13: Use MERV 13 or higher air filters to effectively capture fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke, ensuring indoor air remains safe and clean.
• Proactive Home Sealing and Monitoring: Seal all entry points and monitor indoor air quality actively, using local alerts to manage air filtration systems efficiently during wildfire conditions.
• Choose Reliable Solutions: Invest in Filterbuy's reliable MERV 13 air filters and air purifiers, which are designed to provide superior protection against the pervasive threat of wildfire smoke.

Navigating the Haze: The Impact of Wildfire Smoke on Indoor Air Quality

Wildfires aren't just a visual spectacle of nature's fury; they unleash a complex brew of toxins into the air—fine particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. This dangerous cocktail doesn't stop at your doorstep; it sneaks into your home, outmaneuvering our natural defenses, and infiltrating our most personal spaces—our lungs and even our bloodstream.

Inhaling this smoky air is not just unpleasant; it's harmful. A mere whiff can bring about coughing fits, a scratchy throat, labored breathing, and nagging headaches. And it doesn’t end there. Prolonged exposure escalates the stakes, intensifying chronic heart and lung diseases, and heightening the risk of respiratory infections. The most at risk? Our kids, the elderly, and anyone already battling health issues. Understanding how wildfire smoke affects our indoor environment is more than a lesson in air quality—it's a crucial step in safeguarding our health and well-being against an invisible invader.

Keeping Your Home Smoke-Free

Now more than ever, it's crucial to take proactive measures to keep wildfire smoke from seeping into your home. Doing so is vital not only for maintaining good indoor air quality but also for protecting the health of you and your loved ones, especially those who are most susceptible to the adverse effects of smoke. By thoroughly sealing your home and employing advanced air filtration systems, you can greatly reduce the risks associated with wildfire smoke.

1. Seal Your Home

As the EPA suggests, the first line of defense against wildfire smoke is to keep all windows, doors, and any other openings sealed. This prevents smoke and ash from entering your home, thereby maintaining healthier indoor air quality. Use weather stripping and draft stoppers for enhancing the seals around these openings, especially during active wildfire incidents nearby. Ensuring a proper seal not only keeps harmful pollutants out but is essential for the safety and health of your family during smoke events.

2. Use the Right HVAC Settings

Navigating through wildfire smoke season requires more than just sealing your windows—it demands smart manipulation of your HVAC system. The EPA recommends a simple yet effective adjustment: switch your system to recirculate mode. This prevents outdoor smoke from entering and polluting your indoor air sanctuary.

But fine-tuning your HVAC doesn’t stop there. Regular maintenance is crucial. Start by inspecting your ductwork for any leaks that could let in smoke and replace any aged filters. Elevating your filter game to include high-efficiency options, specifically those with a MERV 13 rating or higher, is also wise. These filters excel in capturing the microscopic particles prevalent in wildfire smoke, thus ensuring that the air flowing through your home remains pristine.

3. Invest in an Air Purifier or High-Quality Air Filters

As wildfire season intensifies, the EPA highlights the critical role of portable air cleaners and high-efficiency HVAC filters in minimizing indoor particulate matter. It’s essential to select air purifiers that are appropriately sized for your space and are ozone-free to enhance your air quality safely.

For budget-conscious households, the EPA suggests a clever workaround: crafting a makeshift air cleaner with a box fan and furnace filters. This DIY solution can serve as an effective temporary fix to freshen up your home’s air affordably. But for those seeking a more stable and enduring solution, investing in commercially available air cleaners is advisable. These units are built for lasting performance and consistent reliability, ensuring your living environment remains wholesome around the clock.

What Is the Best Air Filter for Wildfire Smoke?

In light of recent widespread wildfires, the necessity for effective indoor air filtration has become more apparent than ever. According to experts, MERV 13 filters or higher are essential for trapping the fine particulate matter present in wildfire smoke. These filters are specifically designed to capture tiny particles that are not just harmful to breathe but are also capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and exacerbating health conditions.

MERV 13 Filters

These filters are recognized for their ability to filter out particles as small as 0.3 to 1.0 microns. During wildfire conditions, such as those recently observed in Southern California, where the air quality index (AQI) has soared to dangerously high levels, MERV 13 filters can significantly reduce the indoor penetration of harmful particles. For example, Dr. Kari Nadeau from Harvard University has highlighted the severe risks associated with poor air quality, likening it to smoking multiple cigarettes a day. This makes the use of high-efficiency air filters like MERV 13 not just recommended but essential for maintaining healthy indoor air.

Activated Carbon Filters

Combining MERV 13 filters with activated carbon can provide an added layer of protection by not only trapping fine particulate matter but also adsorbing the odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that come with wildfire smoke. This dual approach ensures that indoor air remains as clean and breathable as possible, even during severe wildfire outbreaks.

Filterbuy offers reliable and affordable filters that meet these specifications. Whether you need a standard MERV 13 filter or one with activated carbon, Filterbuy provides effective solutions to maintain clean indoor air during wildfire seasons.

Known for high-quality air filters, Filterbuy ensures affordability and effectiveness. Their filters, available in various sizes and types, are rigorously tested to meet industry standards, providing the best defense against wildfire smoke.

Additional Tips for Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires

When wildfire smoke darkens the sky, keeping your indoor air clean becomes a top priority. Here are some creative yet practical ways to ensure the air in your home remains refreshing and safe during these smoky times:

Deploy Portable Air Purifiers: Think of portable air purifiers as your personal clean air squad. Position them strategically in the rooms you use most—like the living room or bedrooms—to catch and trap particulate matter right where you breathe the most.

Rethink Your Routine: Every day activities can surprisingly pollute your indoor air, especially during wildfire season. If you can, avoid using gas stoves and say no to burning candles or lighting up that cozy fireplace. These contribute to indoor pollution by releasing more particulates and gases into your home's air.

Stay Smart About Air Quality: Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to air quality. Keep an air quality app handy on your phone or tune into local alerts. This isn't just about numbers; it's about knowing exactly when to shut your windows to block out bad air and when it's clear to let in a fresh breeze.

Taking these steps can drastically improve the air quality in your home, making it a safer haven when wildfire smoke looms large outside.

Better Air Starts With the Right Filter

Keeping wildfire smoke out of your home starts with proactive steps and using the best air filter for wildfire smoke. Effective air filtration is crucial for maintaining healthy indoor air quality, particularly during the wildfire season when outdoor air quality can deteriorate rapidly.

Don’t wait until smoke affects your indoor air quality. Explore Filterbuy’s selection of high-quality air filters today and ensure your home is prepared for wildfire season. Whether you need a basic MERV 13 filter or a more advanced solution with activated carbon, Filterbuy has the right options to help keep your air clean.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to keep fire smoke out of the house?

To prevent the spread of smoke inside your house, it's crucial to close all HVAC systems. Instead, open windows and doors to promote fresh air circulation. Use fans strategically to help drive smoke out and pull clean air in. Remove smoke-absorbed items like furniture, rugs, and curtains, cleaning or washing them where possible.

How to eliminate all the smoke smells inside my house after a fire?

The most effective method to reduce exposure to harmful particles from wildfire smoke is to stay indoors. When air quality is compromised by wildfire smoke, keep all windows and doors shut to safeguard your indoor environment.

What natural remedies for wildfire smoke?

Visit indoor public spaces like community centers, libraries, and shopping malls that have cleaner, cooler air. Limit outdoor exercise when it's smoky and drink plenty of water to help mitigate the effects of the smoke.

How can you wildfire-proof around your home?

Create a defensible space by using ignition-resistant materials for your siding, roof, decks, and windows. Keep a five-foot buffer zone around your home clear of vegetation and flammable materials, and regularly clean your gutters and roof of debris.

Does AC remove smoke smell?

Air conditioners can help remove smoke smells if used correctly. Open windows slightly and set your AC to "ventilation" mode at a higher fan speed to help clear the air.

How to get rid of the burnt smell in your house fast?

Sprinkle baking soda on carpets or upholstery and leave it overnight; vacuum it up the next morning. Baking soda effectively absorbs unwanted odors. Launder any affected items if possible.

How do you filter wildfire smoke?

Invest in an air purifier with a true-HEPA filter, which is highly effective at removing particles smaller than 10 microns, commonly found in wildfire smoke.

What is the best defense against wildfires?

Upgrade your home with a Class A-rated fire-resistant roof and materials. Ensure your eaves have short overhangs without flat ledges to prevent embers from catching and igniting your home.