As wildfires continue to affect California, the air quality in many regions has deteriorated significantly. HVAC technicians and owners play a crucial role in helping customers maintain a healthy indoor environment during these challenging times. Here are some essential tips to assist your customers in improving their home air quality and ensuring their HVAC systems are functioning optimally.
Pre-wildfire season maintenance
Before wildfire season starts, it’s essential to prepare HVAC systems to withstand potential threats.
- Assess and repair damaged units: Wildfires can cause significant damage to HVAC units, especially those located outdoors. It’s important to conduct thorough inspections of the units for any visible damage, such as dents, bent fins, debris, or disconnected pipes. Check the electrical system for corrosion or damage to wires, connectors, and components, including the condenser fan motor seal. If any issues are found, repair or replace the damaged parts to ensure the system operates safely and efficiently.
- Clear vegetation: Clear surrounding vegetation and debris to create a defensible space around HVAC units, reducing the risk of ignition.
- Upgrade and maintain filters: One of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality is by upgrading HVAC filters. Standard filters may not be sufficient to capture the fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke. Recommend high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to your customers, as they can trap smaller particles and significantly improve indoor air quality. Ensure that customers are aware of the importance of regularly checking and replacing their filters, especially during wildfire season.
- Seal the home: Advise customers to seal any gaps or cracks around windows and doors to prevent outdoor air from entering their homes. Use weatherstripping and caulk to create a tight seal. This will help keep smoke and other pollutants outside, ensuring that the indoor air remains cleaner. Note: if a home is sealed air-tight it may affect the home’s infiltration and ventilation, which could affect the HVAC system design.
During wildfire season maintenance
Stay tuned to local news channels when a wildfire becomes close in proximity.
Always follow evacuation orders.
During active wildfires, maintaining HVAC systems becomes critical for indoor air quality management.
Recommendations during an active nearby wildfire:
- Monitor air quality: Monitor air quality and adjust HVAC settings accordingly to minimize indoor smoke exposure. Stay updated on the air quality in your area by checking local air quality reports and advisories. Websites like AirNow www.airnow.gov and local news outlets provide real-time information on air quality levels. Share this information with your customers and advise them on the best practices to protect their indoor environment during periods of poor air quality.
- Run HVAC systems in recirculation mode: When the air quality outside is poor, it’s important to minimize the intake of outdoor air. Advise customers to set their HVAC systems to recirculation mode, which will recirculate the indoor air rather than bringing in fresh air from outside. This can help reduce the amount of smoke and pollutants entering the home.
- Install special filtration: Consider installing a special fire filter designed to capture smoke particles and reduce indoor odors during wildfire events.
- Use air purifiers: In addition to the HVAC system, recommend the use of portable air purifiers with HEPA filters and activated carbon filters. These devices can capture smoke particles and remove odors, providing an additional layer of protection for indoor air quality. Encourage customers to place air purifiers in the rooms where they spend the most time, such as the living room and bedrooms.
Post-wildfire season maintenance
After a wildfire, it’s crucial for HVACR technicians and homeowners to take specific steps to ensure the HVAC system is safe and functioning properly before returning to normal use. Here are some key actions to consider:
- Inspect: Conduct a thorough inspection of the entire HVAC system. This includes checking for any damage to the system components, such as the coils, refrigerant lines, and electrical connections. It’s essential to look for signs of soot, ash, and other debris that may have accumulated during the wildfire.
- Clean, repair, and maintain: Clean and replace air filters. Wildfires can cause a significant increase in airborne particulates, which can clog filters and reduce the efficiency of the HVAC system.
- Inspect and clean the ductwork: Properly sealed and insulated ducts prevent outdoor air from infiltrating the HVAC system. Ensuring that ducts are airtight can significantly improve the system’s efficiency and the quality of air being circulated.
Educating your customers
Educating consumers about air quality during wildfires is crucial for HVACR technicians. Here are some key points that technicians should focus on when communicating with homeowners:
- Understanding the impact of wildfires on air quality: Wildfires release a significant amount of pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants can infiltrate homes and pose serious health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly.
- Upgrading air filters: One of the most effective ways to improve IAQ during wildfires is by upgrading air filters. Technicians should recommend high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 13 or higher. These filters can capture smaller particles, including PM2.5, which are prevalent during wildfires.
- Sealing and insulating ducts: Properly sealed and insulated ducts prevent outdoor air from infiltrating the HVAC system. Ensuring that ducts are airtight can significantly improve the system’s efficiency and the quality of air being circulated.
- Using air purifiers: Standalone air purifiers with HEPA filters can be an excellent addition to the home’s air quality strategy. These devices can help remove pollutants from the air in specific rooms, providing an extra layer of protection.
- Implementing ventilation strategies: While it might seem counterintuitive to bring in outdoor air during a wildfire, controlled ventilation is crucial. Balanced ventilation systems that can filter and condition incoming air are essential. Technicians should ensure that ventilation systems are equipped with appropriate filters and are properly maintained.
Technicians should take the time to educate homeowners about the importance of IAQ and the steps they can take to protect their homes. Providing information on the proper use of HVAC systems, the benefits of regular maintenance, and the importance of high-quality filters can empower homeowners to take proactive measures.
Contractor Resources
Technicians should be familiar with resources such as the ANSI/ACCA 6 QR – 2015 (RA 2021): HVAC System Cleanliness & Restoration standard provides guidelines for restoring the cleanliness of HVAC systems, which is crucial during wildfire events. The ACCA 6 QR provides guidelines for restoring the cleanliness of HVAC systems, emphasizing the importance of maintaining HVAC systems to ensure they operate efficiently and provide a healthy indoor environment. It outlines procedures for inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining various components of HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption and improve system performance.
Another resource is ASHRAE Guideline 44: Protecting Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire and Prescribed Burn Events, a comprehensive document designed to help building owners and managers minimize the health impacts of smoke on occupants. This guideline is particularly relevant for commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential buildings.
EPA wildfires and indoor air quality (IAQ) website
Find resources and information on promoting healthy indoor air quality during and following wildfires.
By focusing on these key points, HVACR technicians can effectively educate consumers about maintaining good indoor air quality during wildfires and help them take the necessary steps to protect their health and well-being.
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