Managing Indoor Air Quality During Arizona’s Wildfire Season

Wildfire Smoke and Indoor Air Quality

Wildfire smoke not only affects those closest to the source, but homes hundreds of miles away can also be affected. If you’re a homeowner in Arizona, it’s essential to understand the correlation between wildfire smoke and indoor air quality to keep your home clean and healthy. 

Let’s take a deeper look at Arizona’s wildfire season and how wildfire smoke impacts indoor air quality. 

Arizona’s Wildfire Season

Arizona’s wildfire season usually starts in the desert in early April and above the Mogollon Rim in May. Fire activity reaches its peak in mid-to-late June and early July before the monsoon season starts. However, due to the area’s changing climate, fires can occur year-round, resulting in a non-designated wildfire season. 

Factors such as severe fire suppression that began in the 1960s, combined with extreme temperatures and drought conditions, have contributed to the increased frequency of previously scarce megafires in Arizona. Areas most recently affected by major wildfires include:

• Yavapai County
• Coconino County
• Pinal County
• Gila County
• Maricopa County 
• Pima County
• Mohave County

In the past, compromised indoor air quality from wildfires might not have been a major concern, but the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in Arizona today have made it hard to ignore this issue.

Impact on Indoor Air Quality

Wildfires release a significant amount of smoke, gas, and fine particulate matter into the air. Common pollutants of wildfires include PM2.5, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Each pollutant contributes to a decline in air pollution and indoor air quality.

Wildfire smoke finds its way into homes by entering through cracks, vents, doors, windows, and HVAC systems. In the short term, exposure to these contaminants can lead to:

• Shortness of breath
• Lung irritation
• Eye irritation
• Throat irritation
• Spikes in asthma and heart disease

Prolonged exposure can worsen these health conditions over time. 

Key Strategies to Improve Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Season

While certain factors associated with wildfires are out of your control, you can learn how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. By understanding how to keep outside smoke out of your house, you’ll be able to improve indoor air quality. 

Here’s how: 

Seal Your Home

One way to prevent polluted air infiltration is to seal your home. This can be done by using weatherstripping and caulking to seal small openings around windows, doors, and vents. Not only does this minimize your home’s exposure to harmful pollutants, but it also helps boost energy efficiency by reducing air loss. 

Optimize Your HVAC System

Optimize your HVAC system by setting the AC to recirculate mode. Recirculate mode reduces outdoor air intake, thereby reducing the infiltration of pollutants. Additionally, ensure you’re using high-quality air filters and keep a clean one in the system at all times. Filters with higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings are the most effective at trapping pollutants. 

By also adding whole-home air purifiers or HVAC add-ons, you can experience benefits like: 

• Enhanced HVAC system efficiency
• Improved indoor air quality
• Improved respiratory health 
• Reduction in dust and odors
• Reduced allergy and asthma symptoms

Use Portable Air Purifiers

Start using portable air purifiers with HEPA filters. Standard filters are less effective than HEPA filters, making HEPA filters the preferred option for removing wildfire pollutants and enhancing indoor air quality. 

When implementing a portable air purifier in your home, ensure it’s placed in a room closest to the source of the issue. Place the portable air purifier in the middle of the room, unobstructed and a few feet off the ground. For rooms with larger ceilings, place it higher to accommodate the larger space. 

Monitor Indoor Air Quality

Use an air quality sensor to monitor your home’s air quality. These sensors measure pollutants such as carbon dioxide, fine particulate matter, and ozone, allowing for accurate monitoring of indoor air quality. 

Reduce Indoor Pollutant Sources

Other measures include avoiding the use of candles, incense, or gas stoves. These indoor pollutant sources increase indoor gas and particulate levels. 

When it comes to vacuuming, make sure your cleaner is equipped with HEPA filters to prevent the spread of fine dust. For dusting and cleaning, use fragrance-free cleaning products to minimize unnecessary exposure to chemicals that can exacerbate coughing and respiratory issues during a smoke event. 

Long-Term IAQ Investments for Arizona Homeowners

Arizona homeowners can better battle the long-term effects of wildfire smoke  by investing in:

• UV air purifiers or advanced filtration systems
• Upgraded insulation and windows throughout the home
• Smart thermostats and IAQ integration 

When to Call an HVAC Professional

Reach out to an HVAC professional when warning signs arise. They can effectively tackle your home’s indoor air quality problems by identifying the root cause and implementing the necessary solutions. Perhaps all that’s needed is an AC tune-up. 

Let’s look at how your HVAC system affects your indoor air quality. 

Signs Your HVAC System Isn’t Helping IAQ

Your HVAC system can negatively impact your indoor air quality in several ways. Here are the signs to keep an eye out for:

• Your home is humid, even in air-conditioned spaces
• Temperatures are constantly fluctuating 
• Air from your HVAC system is being blown at high speeds
• There are foul odors coming from your air ducts 

These issues are the result of improperly sized units, inadequate ventilation, dirty air ducts, neglected maintenance, and other factors. Once you’ve noticed these signs in your home, it’s time to contact an HVAC professional to discover why it’s happening. 

Services Professionals Can Offer

After reaching out to an HVAC professional, you can expect them to provide a variety of relevant services. Common services that focus on addressing wildfire smoke and improving indoor air quality include:

• Indoor Air Quality Assessments to Determine The Best Air Purifier for Wildfire Smoke
• Filter Upgrades
• Duct Sealing

How Regular Maintenance Plays a Role

Regular HVAC maintenance keeps your system in the best working condition possible by identifying issues before they become costly repairs or premature breakdowns. In the event of a wildfire, regular maintenance for your HVAC system becomes even more critical.

Neglecting HVAC maintenance invites wildfire pollutants to compromise indoor air quality, so make professional maintenance a part of your homeowner routine to combat the effects of wildfire smoke on indoor air quality.

Suffering from poor indoor air quality in Phoenix’s East Valley? Reach out to Chandler Air today. Our experienced and professional technicians are ready to help.