During wildfire smoke, the strategy changes from ordinary ventilation to limiting outdoor smoke entry, keeping occupants cool, reducing indoor particle sources, and increasing compatible filtration in a cleaner-air space. Use it with the Indoor Air Quality Guide when you need the broader system context.
Quick Decision Guide
| Decision area | What to verify | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare Before Smoke Arrives | Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Prepare Before Smoke Arrives before selecting equipment or approving work. | Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. |
| Reduce Smoke Entry | Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Reduce Smoke Entry before selecting equipment or approving work. | Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. |
| Create a Cleaner-Air Room | Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Create a Cleaner-Air Room before selecting equipment or approving work. | Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. |
| Use Filtration Safely | Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Use Filtration Safely before selecting equipment or approving work. | Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. |
| Know When Home Is Not Safe Enough | Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Know When Home Is Not Safe Enough before selecting equipment or approving work. | Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. |
Prepare Before Smoke Arrives
Track official air-quality and emergency information, identify a suitable room, and obtain filters and medications in advance. Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Prepare Before Smoke Arrives before selecting equipment or approving work. The useful question is not whether one feature sounds better in isolation, but how the proposed choice changes safety, capacity, airflow, comfort, operating cost, maintenance, and the rest of the installed system.
Use the documented conditions to compare compatible options, complete scope, and a measurable final result. Record the starting condition, model numbers, settings, measurements, assumptions, and expected result so a proposal can be verified after the work. Compare information at the same indoor and outdoor conditions whenever performance changes with weather or airflow.
Important limit: Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. Stop and use a qualified professional whenever the decision involves energized equipment, fuel, combustion, refrigerant, structural work, hazardous materials, permits, or a condition you cannot evaluate safely.
Reduce Smoke Entry
Close windows and doors when advised, manage outdoor-air intakes, seal obvious gaps safely, and understand exhaust effects. Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Reduce Smoke Entry before selecting equipment or approving work. The useful question is not whether one feature sounds better in isolation, but how the proposed choice changes safety, capacity, airflow, comfort, operating cost, maintenance, and the rest of the installed system.
Use the documented conditions to compare compatible options, complete scope, and a measurable final result. Record the starting condition, model numbers, settings, measurements, assumptions, and expected result so a proposal can be verified after the work. Compare information at the same indoor and outdoor conditions whenever performance changes with weather or airflow.
Important limit: Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. Stop and use a qualified professional whenever the decision involves energized equipment, fuel, combustion, refrigerant, structural work, hazardous materials, permits, or a condition you cannot evaluate safely.
Create a Cleaner-Air Room
Choose a room that fits occupants, stays cool, limits openings, and supports portable or central filtration. Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Create a Cleaner-Air Room before selecting equipment or approving work. The useful question is not whether one feature sounds better in isolation, but how the proposed choice changes safety, capacity, airflow, comfort, operating cost, maintenance, and the rest of the installed system.
Use the documented conditions to compare compatible options, complete scope, and a measurable final result. Record the starting condition, model numbers, settings, measurements, assumptions, and expected result so a proposal can be verified after the work. Compare information at the same indoor and outdoor conditions whenever performance changes with weather or airflow.
Important limit: Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. Stop and use a qualified professional whenever the decision involves energized equipment, fuel, combustion, refrigerant, structural work, hazardous materials, permits, or a condition you cannot evaluate safely.
Use Filtration Safely
EPA recommends MERV 13 or as high as the HVAC system can handle and properly sized low-ozone portable cleaners. Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Use Filtration Safely before selecting equipment or approving work. The useful question is not whether one feature sounds better in isolation, but how the proposed choice changes safety, capacity, airflow, comfort, operating cost, maintenance, and the rest of the installed system.
Use the documented conditions to compare compatible options, complete scope, and a measurable final result. Record the starting condition, model numbers, settings, measurements, assumptions, and expected result so a proposal can be verified after the work. Compare information at the same indoor and outdoor conditions whenever performance changes with weather or airflow.
Important limit: Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. Stop and use a qualified professional whenever the decision involves energized equipment, fuel, combustion, refrigerant, structural work, hazardous materials, permits, or a condition you cannot evaluate safely.
Know When Home Is Not Safe Enough
Heat, heavy smoke, power loss, symptoms, and evacuation orders can require leaving for cleaner, cooler shelter. Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Know When Home Is Not Safe Enough before selecting equipment or approving work. The useful question is not whether one feature sounds better in isolation, but how the proposed choice changes safety, capacity, airflow, comfort, operating cost, maintenance, and the rest of the installed system.
Use the documented conditions to compare compatible options, complete scope, and a measurable final result. Record the starting condition, model numbers, settings, measurements, assumptions, and expected result so a proposal can be verified after the work. Compare information at the same indoor and outdoor conditions whenever performance changes with weather or airflow.
Important limit: Do not treat a product label, rule of thumb, or one unverified reading as a substitute for project-specific diagnosis. Stop and use a qualified professional whenever the decision involves energized equipment, fuel, combustion, refrigerant, structural work, hazardous materials, permits, or a condition you cannot evaluate safely.
Homeowner Checklist
- Write down the problem, affected rooms, timing, weather, and recent changes.
- Record equipment model numbers, age, controls, filters, service history, and known modifications.
- Ask which measurements and calculations support the recommendation.
- Compare exact models, complete scope, permits, commissioning, exclusions, warranties, and maintenance.
- Verify compatibility and current instructions with the manufacturer and responsible local authority.
- Keep the final settings, test results, manuals, invoices, and photographs with the home records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check first? Document the existing condition and collect measurements specifically relevant to Prepare Before Smoke Arrives before selecting equipment or approving work. Can one specification answer the whole question? No. Ratings and features must be interpreted with the home, installed equipment, distribution, controls, climate, and operating conditions.
When should I call a professional? Use qualified help for unsafe conditions, internal electrical or fuel work, refrigerant, permits, or when measurements are required. How should I compare quotes? Use the documented conditions to compare compatible options, complete scope, and a measurable final result. Compare the same scope and acceptance tests, not only price.
Sources and Related Guides
- EPA: Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home
- EPA: Care for Your Air
- EPA: Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality
- Indoor Air Quality Guide
- HVAC Air Filter Guide: MERV, Size and Airflow
- Home Air Filter Guide: Types, MERV and Replacement
- MERV Ratings Explained: Choose the Right Air Filter
- Contact and HVAC estimate information
