Tips to Protect Your Indoor Air Quality

Andrea Lorenzo August 11, 2025
Tips to Protect Your Indoor Air Quality

Heavy or scratchy indoor air is often a sign of pollution. Tiny particles and gases from traffic, factories, dust, pollen, mold, or wildfire smoke can sneak indoors and trigger headaches, coughing, and fatigue. Left unchecked, they can build up fast—especially during wildfire season.

The solution? Proactive prevention: upgrade filtration, seal gaps, and schedule routine HVAC maintenance. Trust Smart Care’s experts for commercial HVAC repair and maintenance to keep your system running smoothly and your air clean year-round.

Key Takeaways

  1. Wildfire smoke carries harmful PM2.5 particles indoors—even after skies clear.
  2. Replace HVAC filters every 30 days during smoke season.
  3. Upgrade to HEPA or MERV-13 filtration for better fine-particle capture.
  4. Seal gaps and run your system in recirculation mode to block smoky air.
  5. Partner with Smart Care for year-round clean, healthy air.

Understanding the Wildfire Smoke Impact

When wildfire haze drifts in, it brings microscopic particles that bypass ordinary filters and settle deep in your lungs—causing sore throats, coughing, or chest tightness. The good news? Once you know these particles can travel hundreds of miles and linger indoors, you can fight back.

Just so you know: PM2.5 particles are about 1/30th the width of a human hair. This is why upgrading your filters matters.

Monitor Air Quality in Real Time

Bookmark airnow.gov or your state’s AQI site. Set alerts for your ZIP code. When AQI hits 150+, switch to recirculation and run purifiers at full power.

Keep Your Air Filters Fresh

  • Inspect monthly – Open the return grille and check your filter. If it’s coated in gray or brown dust to the point you can’t see the material underneath, it’s time for a change.
  • Replace every 30–90 days – In normal conditions, 60–90 days works. During wildfire season, or in high-traffic spaces, swap filters every 30 days for optimal air quality.
  • Select the right MERV rating – Basic fiberglass filters catch dust and lint. For better smoke protection, choose pleated filters with at least a MERV-8 rating; higher ratings capture finer particles. Check out our guide on MERV ratings here.
  • Pro Tip: If you’re near busy roads, factories, or construction, treat every month like smoke season to protect both your air and your HVAC system.

Upgrade to HEPA or MERV-13

  • Go for maximum capture – HEPA filters trap 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns, making them ideal for smoke, allergens, and fine dust.
  • Choose MERV-13 when HEPA isn’t possible – It’s a strong alternative that still captures most fine particles, including those from wildfire smoke.
  • Check system compatibility – Not all HVAC systems can handle high-resistance filters. Confirm with your HVAC pro before upgrading.
  • Add portable units if needed – If you can’t retrofit your system, place standalone HEPA purifiers in high-use rooms for extra protection.

Optimize Recirculation & Seal Your Space

When outdoor air turns smoky, keep it outside where it belongs. Switch your HVAC system to recirculation mode so it re-filters the same indoor air instead of pulling in contaminated drafts. Close the economizer, seal all dampers tightly, and let the system run a bit longer to maximize filtration. Then, block common entry points for smoke—add weather stripping or foam tape around windows and doors, cover unused vents with magnetic covers, and check for gaps around electrical outlets or wall penetrations. These quick steps help maintain cleaner air indoors and reduce strain on your HVAC system.

Invest in Air Purification

  • Opt for multi-stage filtration – The best systems combine a pre-filter (for larger particles), HEPA (for fine particles like smoke), and activated carbon (for odors and VOCs).
  • Integrate with HVAC for whole-building coverage – Duct-mounted purifiers treat all circulated air, not just air in a single room.
  • Keep maintenance simple – Many commercial systems only require filter changes every 6–12 months, even in heavy-use seasons.
  • Save on energy – Cleaner air means less strain on your HVAC, which can help reduce utility bills.

Pro Tip: Ask your HVAC provider to recommend an air purifier sized for your building’s square footage for maximum efficiency.

Partner with Smart Care for Proactive Maintenance

Smart Care’s commercial HVAC specialists can:

  • Audit your filter strategy and recommend upgrades.
  • Install or service purifiers and HEPA integrations.
  • Create a routine maintenance plan so you never miss a change.

Ready for cleaner air?

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