Dealing with harmful wildfire smoke is the new frontier for Indoor Air Quality systems.
As climate change intensifies, green building professionals and homeowners alike face a new and growing threat: wildfire smoke.
Once viewed as a seasonal and regional issue, wildfires now rage in unexpected places like New Jersey in early spring months, and smoke from large-scale wildfires in Europe and Asia now drifts across continents and oceans to impact the skies in North America.
Wildfire smoke contains a dangerous mix of particulate matter and chemical gases that compromise indoor air quality (IAQ), building performance, and occupant health.
According to the EPA, wildfire smoke accounts for nearly half of all fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in the western United States. That figure is expected to rise as fire seasons grow longer, hotter, and more destructive.
The Composition and Risks of Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke is a complex, evolving mixture, comprised of:
PM2.5, which can can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which off-gas from burning vegetation and materials.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to smog and respiratory distress.
These pollutants can linger in the air for days and travel thousands of miles. Homes and buildings designed with tight envelopes and energy recovery can inadvertently trap these pollutants indoors, especially when outdoor air intakes are active during poor air-quality events, as seen during the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
Challenges for Standard HVAC Systems
Most HVAC systems use MERV filers, which provide some protection against PM2.5 but struggle to handle the full load of wildfire smoke. Many don’t include any gas-phase filtration at all. Even a well-sealed home with MERV 13 filters can be overwhelmed during a heavy smoke event, and the energy burden of pushing air through a clogged or underperforming filter can run counter to sustainability goals.
Strategies for Enhancing Indoor Air Quality
To address these challenges, home and building owners should consider multi-layered filter systems that target both particulate and gas-phase pollutants while balancing energy efficiency and system longevity. This includes high-efficiency particulate filters (HEPA or MERV 16) that trap the finest smoke particles, gas-phase filtration using activated carbon and advanced sorbents to remove VOCs and odors, and custom filter housings that retrofit into existing HVAC systems without compromising airflow.
As wildfire events become more frequent and intense due to climate change, addressing indoor air quality in green buildings is paramount. By understanding the composition of wildfire smoke and implementing advanced filtration strategies, building professionals and homeowners can maintain good IAQ for enhanced occupant health and wellness.
Want to learn more about zero carbon building? Enroll in Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Academy, which has robust courses on net zero carbon building, green building fundamentals, green product essentials and green building program like ENERGY STAR, Zero Energy Ready Homes, Indoor airPLUS, WaterSense, and HERS ratings.
And, be sure to check out the COGNITION Carbon Offsets Marketplace if you’re interested in purchasing carbon offsets to mitigate emissions from your products, projects or lifestyle.
As cofounder and CEO of Green Builder Media, Sara is a visionary thought leader and passionate advocate for sustainability. A former venture capitalist, she has participated in the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies, with an emphasis on combining sustainability and profitability. She lives in Lake City, Colo., with her husband, where she is an avid long-distance runner, snowboarder, and Crossfit trainer. She is also on the Board of Directors at Dvele, runs the Rural Segment for Energize Colorado, and is a former County Commissioner.
Wildfire Season is Coming. Are You Ready?
Dealing with harmful wildfire smoke is the new frontier for Indoor Air Quality systems.
As climate change intensifies, green building professionals and homeowners alike face a new and growing threat: wildfire smoke.
Once viewed as a seasonal and regional issue, wildfires now rage in unexpected places like New Jersey in early spring months, and smoke from large-scale wildfires in Europe and Asia now drifts across continents and oceans to impact the skies in North America.
Wildfire smoke contains a dangerous mix of particulate matter and chemical gases that compromise indoor air quality (IAQ), building performance, and occupant health.
According to the EPA, wildfire smoke accounts for nearly half of all fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in the western United States. That figure is expected to rise as fire seasons grow longer, hotter, and more destructive.
The Composition and Risks of Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke is a complex, evolving mixture, comprised of:
These pollutants can linger in the air for days and travel thousands of miles. Homes and buildings designed with tight envelopes and energy recovery can inadvertently trap these pollutants indoors, especially when outdoor air intakes are active during poor air-quality events, as seen during the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
Challenges for Standard HVAC Systems
Most HVAC systems use MERV filers, which provide some protection against PM2.5 but struggle to handle the full load of wildfire smoke. Many don’t include any gas-phase filtration at all. Even a well-sealed home with MERV 13 filters can be overwhelmed during a heavy smoke event, and the energy burden of pushing air through a clogged or underperforming filter can run counter to sustainability goals.
Strategies for Enhancing Indoor Air Quality
To address these challenges, home and building owners should consider multi-layered filter systems that target both particulate and gas-phase pollutants while balancing energy efficiency and system longevity. This includes high-efficiency particulate filters (HEPA or MERV 16) that trap the finest smoke particles, gas-phase filtration using activated carbon and advanced sorbents to remove VOCs and odors, and custom filter housings that retrofit into existing HVAC systems without compromising airflow.
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As wildfire events become more frequent and intense due to climate change, addressing indoor air quality in green buildings is paramount. By understanding the composition of wildfire smoke and implementing advanced filtration strategies, building professionals and homeowners can maintain good IAQ for enhanced occupant health and wellness.
Publisher’s Note: This content is made possible by our Today’s Homeowner Campaign Sponsors: Whirlpool Corporation. Whirlpool Corporation takes sustainability seriously, in both their products and their operations. Learn more about building and buying homes that are more affordable and less resource intensive.
Want to learn more about zero carbon building? Enroll in Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Academy, which has robust courses on net zero carbon building, green building fundamentals, green product essentials and green building program like ENERGY STAR, Zero Energy Ready Homes, Indoor airPLUS, WaterSense, and HERS ratings.
And, be sure to check out the COGNITION Carbon Offsets Marketplace if you’re interested in purchasing carbon offsets to mitigate emissions from your products, projects or lifestyle.
By Sara Gutterman
As cofounder and CEO of Green Builder Media, Sara is a visionary thought leader and passionate advocate for sustainability. A former venture capitalist, she has participated in the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies, with an emphasis on combining sustainability and profitability. She lives in Lake City, Colo., with her husband, where she is an avid long-distance runner, snowboarder, and Crossfit trainer. She is also on the Board of Directors at Dvele, runs the Rural Segment for Energize Colorado, and is a former County Commissioner.Also Read