What Makes a Home Smoke-Ready?
Four layers that keep wildfire smoke out of your home, and a checklist for fire season.
Maor Greenberg
A smoke-ready home keeps wildfire smoke out, filters the air that does come in, and keeps that filtration running even during a power outage. In the Bay Area, smoke can arrive from fires hundreds of miles away, so this matters even if your neighborhood is nowhere near a fire.
Most older homes can’t do this well. Smoke slips in through the same gaps that let in drafts, and many older heating systems have no way to filter fine particles.
The four layers of a smoke-ready home
- A tight envelope. Sealing the gaps in walls, floors, attic and around windows is the first defense: smoke that can’t get in doesn’t need filtering. Related: What a high-performance envelope is.
- Filtered fresh air. A ventilation system such as an ERV brings air in through a filter, and can be turned down when outdoor air is very poor. Related: ERVs and filtered fresh air.
- High-efficiency filtration. For homes with central systems, the EPA recommends a MERV 13 or higher filter during smoky periods, if the system can accommodate it. A new system can be designed for it from the start.
- Backup power. Solar with battery storage can keep filtration, refrigeration and essentials running during an outage. Greenberg designs homes to be solar and battery-ready.
Plan a clean room
The EPA recommends setting up a “clean room,” usually a bedroom, where smoke levels can be kept as low as possible: windows and doors closed, a portable air cleaner sized to the room, and no candles, frying or other indoor sources of particles. In a well-sealed home with good filtration, the whole house works more like a clean room.
Quick checklist before fire season
- Spare high-efficiency filters on hand
- Know how to switch your system to recirculate or reduce fresh air
- Portable air cleaner for the main bedroom
- Air quality alerts on your phone
- Battery charged, if you have one
Why a remodel is the right time
Air sealing, a filtered ventilation system, ductwork sized for high-efficiency filters, and solar with battery are all far easier to install while walls and ceilings are open. Together, they turn smoke season from an emergency into an inconvenience.
FAQ
What filter is best for wildfire smoke?
The EPA recommends MERV 13 or higher in central HVAC systems, where the system can handle it. Ask an HVAC professional to confirm compatibility.
Should I run my fresh-air system during smoke events?
It depends on the system and the outdoor air quality. Many systems can be turned down or set to recirculate. Follow your system’s guidance.
Do I need a portable air cleaner if I have good filtration?
A portable unit in the bedroom adds protection and keeps working in one room even if the main system is off.
Can an older home be made smoke-ready?
Yes. Air sealing, a filtered ventilation system and better filters can be added, most easily during a major remodel.
Ready for the next smoke season? Start the conversation
Part 4 of 7 in Healthy by Design, our Wellness series in the Journal. Next: Asbestos and Lead in 1950s Homes: What to Know Before You Remodel. See how Greenberg builds for wellness.
Sources: EPA, Create a Clean Room to Protect Indoor Air Quality During a Wildfire · EPA, How to Create a Cleaner Air Room at Home