The 2023 wildfire season has been very harsh. Significant fires in Canada on both the West and East side of the country have blanketed regions in smoke. Recently, haunting images of orange clouds of smoke hiding the skyscrapers in New York City made headlines. Here in Utah, regular smoke from wildfires in our state and neighboring states is common every spring and summer. Residents in Utah know how it smells and tastes when smoke is in the air.
Wildfire smoke can severely impact air quality. It can cause health problems, including breathing issues, asthma, headaches, nausea, and more. For immunocompromised people or those who struggle with their breathing, wildfire smoke can be especially dangerous. The EPA says that wildfire smoke can contain particles smaller than 10 microns.
So, how can you protect the air quality in your home and business? First, invest in a quality air purifier with HEPA-grade filters. The higher the rating on the filter, the more adept these filters will be at catching microscopic particles and removing them from the air in your home or business. Another option is to upgrade the filters you use in your HVAC system too. Filters with a MERV rating of 13 or higher are the most effective.
Regularly switching out the filters in your air purifier and HVAC system is also essential. Wildfire smoke can reduce the lifecycle of your filters by almost half. So, staying on a regular three-month replacement schedule is crucial to ensure your system stays clean. You may even consider adding extra filter switches after terrible wildfire smoke events so you don’t have to worry about the filters getting clogged up when the air is thick with smoke.
As a cleaning company, we know that indoor air quality starts with a clean HVAC system. With the increase in wildfire smoke and air quality events, regularly scheduled HVAC cleaning is a great way to keep your system clean. Even after the smoke settles, the dust, dirt, and ash in the air will settle on your floors, walls, and in the vents of your system. To remove this dirt and debris, you’ll need the specialized training and tools that our HVAC cleaning team provides.
Wildfire smoke is a severe health risk, and unfortunately, significant wildfires are becoming more common. To protect yourself, your family and your employees, taking steps to improve the indoor air quality in your home and business is essential. As a cleaning company, we can help keep your home and business safe. Call today to schedule your services.
