Wildfire smoke doesn’t just irritate your lungs. It clogs air filters, coats condenser coils in ash, and forces AC systems to work overtime.
That’s why AC repair technicians in San Jose report a spike in service calls every time a major fire breaks out nearby.
Before the next fire season hits, I’d take some time to understand how wildfire smoke affects your AC unit so you can prepare your home and its HVAC system in advance.
You’ve likely spent years getting your home to feel the way you want it, and clean air is part of that feeling even though you can’t see it.
How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Air Conditioner
The New York Times states that wildfire smoke can be more harmful to your health than other forms of air pollution.
Imagine what it does to your air conditioner, a unit that can’t escape that unhealthy air.
Wildfire smoke clogs your filters and cuts the airflow in your HVAC unit.
Your air system has to work overtime just to keep up.
Internal coils can get coated with soot, and ash particles slip through thin filters and land in your living space.
That’s the part I’d worry about most, since that fine ash settles on your upholstery, your curtains, and the wood surfaces you keep polished.
A room can look beautifully styled and still feel heavy if the air moving through it is dirty.
Signs Your AC Is Being Affected by Wildfire Smoke
HVAC protection is a big part of protecting your home’s indoor air during a nearby wildfire.
Your AC is likely feeling the smoke if you notice any of these physical or systemic signs:
Smoky Smells
When you walk outside, it makes sense to smell smoke in the air.
If you get that campfire scent inside your home when the AC runs, your unit is under pressure from the fires.
I’ve noticed scent does more work in a home than we give it credit for, and no candle or diffuser can cover a smoky vent.
Clogged Filters
Change your air filters more often when there’s a wildfire closing in on your area.
If your filters come out gray or even black after a few days of use, your AC is heavily affected.
Weak Airflow
You know how hard the air normally blows from your vents.
If you feel that lessen, smoke could be clogging up your system.
More Dust
There’s no getting away from dust in a home, but if it builds up fast and keeps coming back, your AC and the smoke outside could be the cause.
I’d watch your darker surfaces first, since a walnut console or a black matte fixture shows that film long before your walls do.
High Energy Bills
When your next energy bill arrives, pay close attention to whether your costs spike.
If you see a jump during a wildfire, your AC is being affected.
How to Protect Your AC During Bay Area Wildfire Season
The Washington Post recommends setting window AC units to recirculate air rather than drawing outside air into the home.
That helps protect your indoor air and keeps damaging wildfire smoke away from your AC unit.
Use the best rating your machine takes and replace your air filters.
These filters keep your home’s air as clean as possible by catching smoke particles.
Outside, keep your AC unit as clean as you can.
Wash it down after the fires clear and have a professional come in to clean the coils so your airflow stays consistent.
I’d also give your window treatments a look while you’re at it.
Heavy drapes and woven shades hold smoke particles the way they hold light, so a wash or a steam keeps your windows feeling as fresh as they look.
Improving Indoor Air Quality While Protecting Your HVAC System
To keep up with AC maintenance during local wildfires, run your house fans and let the air in your home recirculate.
That keeps your cleaner air intact instead of pulling outside air in.
Not only is your air healthier, but your HVAC unit stays better protected.
I’d also lean on the soft parts of your home during smoke season.
Washable slipcovers, cotton throws, and a few low-maintenance plants all help a closed-up house still feel warm and lived in instead of stale.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make During Wildfire Season
There are certain mistakes you don’t want to make when it comes to how wildfire smoke affects your AC unit.
Here are a few I’d avoid:
- Not Changing Your Air Filters
- Not Upgrading Your Air Filters to Higher Quality Levels
- Running Your Air Full Blast, as Usual
- Letting Soot Build Up on Your Outside Unit
I’d add one more to that list, and it’s leaving your outdoor unit crowded by planters, trellises, or a decorative screen.
The look is nice, but your AC needs clear space around it to breathe.
When Your HVAC System Needs Professional Attention
Once the fires clear off, if you still smell that stubborn smoky scent in your home, your AC ducts, coils, and other areas may need professional cleaning.
It’s also a good idea to call in the experts if you feel weaker airflow moving through your home.
If you haven’t gotten your annual AC tune-up yet, I’d schedule one after a wildfire breakout.
The technicians can go through everything, clean it all, and make sure your AC is in good working order for the rest of the season.
Think of it the way you’d think about deep cleaning your rugs or refinishing a floor.
It’s the unglamorous work that makes everything else in your home feel good again.
Keep Your Home Comfortable When the Smoke Rolls In
It’s worth protecting your home in every way you can when the nasty Bay Area fires break out.
While there may be certain things you already do to protect your home, don’t forget about HVAC protection.
Your AC unit needs attention as well, and the professionals at IRBIS are here to help any time.
Whether you notice something off with your AC after a fire, like higher energy bills or weak airflow, or you just want to ask questions and get advice, we’re here for you.
Call for a consultation, a tune-up, a cleaning, a repair, or anything in between.
Your home should feel like a place you want to be, and clean, easy air is the quietest part of what makes that true.
Leave a comment