--- title: Managing Indoor Air Quality description: While Alberta is hit with intense smoke from nearby forest fires, here are some tips on keeping the air inside your home as fresh as possible. image: https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/hubfs/air-quality-blog-photo.jpg --- [![Cedarglen HOMES](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/hubfs/Cedarglenhomes_January2019/Images/logo.svg "Cedarglen HOMES")](https://www.cedarglenhomes.com/) - [Home Page](https://www.cedarglenhomes.com/) - Homes - [Models](https://cedarglenhomes.com/models/) - [Showhomes](https://cedarglenhomes.com/showhomes/) - [Quick Possessions](https://cedarglenhomes.com/quick-possessions/) - [Virtual Tours](https://cedarglenhomes.com/virtual-tours/) - Communities - [Community Map](https://cedarglenhomes.com/communities/) - [Aspen Spring Estates](https://cedarglenhomes.com/communities/aspen-spring-estates/) - [Belmont](https://cedarglenhomes.com/communities/belmont/) - [Cranston's Riverstone](https://cedarglenhomes.com/communities/cranstons-riverstone/) - [CreekView](https://www.cedarglenhomes.com/communities/creekview/) - [Glacier Ridge](https://cedarglenhomes.com/communities/glacier-ridge/) - [Livingston](https://cedarglenhomes.com/communities/livingston/) - [Logan Landing](https://www.cedarglenhomes.com/communities/logan-landing/) - [Rockland Park](https://cedarglenhomes.com/communities/rockland-park/) - [Seton](https://cedarglenhomes.com/communities/seton/) - [West Grove Estates](https://cedarglenhomes.com/communities/west-grove-estates/) - Experience - [Homebuilding Journey](https://cedarglenhomes.com/homebuilding-journey/) - [Personalization](https://cedarglenhomes.com/personalization/) - [Studio 81](https://cedarglenhomes.com/studio-81/) - [Inspiration](https://cedarglenhomes.com/inspiration/) - [Net Zero](https://cedarglenhomes.com/net-zero/) - Resource Centre - [Homebuyers](https://cedarglenhomes.com/homebuyers/) - [Homeowners](https://cedarglenhomes.com/homeowners/) - [Blog](https://www.cedarglenhomes.com/blog/) - About - [Why Cedarglen Homes](https://cedarglenhomes.com/about-cedarglen/why-cedarglen-homes/) - [Meet The Team](https://cedarglenhomes.com/meet-the-team/) - [Reviews](https://cedarglenhomes.com/about-cedarglen/reviews/) - [Awards](https://cedarglenhomes.com/awards/) - [Careers](https://www.cedarglenhomes.com/careers/) - [Contact](https://cedarglenhomes.com/contact/) ![Builder of Choice](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cedarglenhomes_January2019/Images/communities-details-banner.jpg?width=1904&name=communities-details-banner.jpg) ## Cedarglen Homes Blog ## Filter - [Communities](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/tag/communities) - [Cedarglen News](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/tag/cedarglen-news) - [Miscellaneous](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/tag/miscellaneous) - [Home Buying Tips](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/tag/home-buying-tips) - [Construction & Design](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/tag/construction-design) - [Care & Maintenance](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/tag/care-maintenance) - [Models](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/tag/models) - [Seasonal](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/tag/seasonal) - [Promotions](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/tag/promotions) ![Managing Indoor Air Quality](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/hubfs/air-quality-blog-photo.jpg) 17 May 2023 #### Managing Indoor Air Quality # Reduce the Smoke Build-up in Your New Home The past few weeks have offered Calgarians plenty of hot, sunny days that have us checking into summer vacation mode. However, it can be difficult to fully enjoy the warmer temperatures when they are accompanied with the intense smoke that we are seeing from ongoing forest fires across western Canada. Smoke is comprised of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles that can have serious implications on one’s health – especially for the vulnerable populations such as those with respiratory infections or illnesses, the elderly or young children. This week the smoke finally rolled into Calgary and homeowners across the city are left wondering how they can keep their homes as smoke-free as possible. First and foremost, it’s important to understand that outdoor air pollution will enter homes in a variety of ways: - **Natural Ventilation** (i.e., open doors and windows) - **Mechanical Ventilation** (i.e., kitchen fans, bathrooms fans, and HVAC systems) - **Infiltration** (i.e., small cracks or openings around windows and doors) While it may be tough to avoid the smoke entirely, there are a few things that can be done to keep the air inside one’s home as fresh as possible. **Keep the Home Airtight** - - While we normally advise homeowners to promote frequent air exchanges in their homes as often as possible, the opposite would be true when the outdoor air quality is this poor. Keep all windows and doors shut and avoid running the mechanical ventilation systems whenever possible. Check all windows and doors for small air leaks and reseal or recaulk as needed. Change Furnace Filters - In a typical home, we suggest changing the furnace filters every 2-3 months to maintain good air quality. However, when homeowners are still living in an active construction zone we recommend increasing this to every month to combat the high levels of dust. Similarly, with such poor air quality from forest fires we recommend changing out the furnace filters once a month at a minimum. If anyone living at home is susceptible to respiratory irritation, then it is worth buying a pack of cheap filters and changing them as needed until the air quality regulates. Click [HERE](https://youtu.be/g3-w0GxJFf4) for a video explaining how to change a furnace filter. HRV Maintenance - The HRV (heat recovery ventilator) cycles out the stale and moist air in the home and replaces it with filtered fresh air from outdoors creating balanced ventilation throughout the home. To promote healthy air circulation, ensure that the HRV filter is properly maintained and cleaned out as needed. Click [HERE](https://youtu.be/ohokP7RC3JE) for a detailed video outlining how to clean the HRV filter.  Clean Other Filters - It is important to remember that anything that circulates air in the home is currently dealing with an overload of air pollutants and is having to work extra hard. Other filters to consider changing out or cleaning would include hood fan vents and bathroom fan blades. Invest in an Air Purifier - Technology has come a long way and there are now portable air purifiers one can purchase at a local hardware store or online for under $200. These machines typically work best in smaller spaces such as bedrooms and can infinitely improve the air quality while you sleep. There are also vent filters that you can purchase that sit in your floor or wall vents and can serve as another layer of protection between the air that is getting circulated throughout your home. - - [Previous](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/rockland-park-sales-team-of-the-year) [Next](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/your-homebuilding-journey-passport) ### LATEST OR POPULAR POSTS LIST - 26 Oct 2023 #### [Not All Secondary Suites Are Created Equal...](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/secondary-suite-requirements) - 22 Sep 2023 #### [New Front-Attached Garage Showhomes in Rockland Park](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/new-front-attached-garage-showhomes-in-rockland-park) - 22 Aug 2023 #### [New Net Zero Certified Home in Rockland Park - Available for Quick Possession](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/net-zero-certified-quick-possession-0) - 15 Aug 2023 #### [Net Zero Certified Quick Possession Home in Glacier Ridge](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/net-zero-certified-quick-possession) - 10 Jul 2023 #### [Your Homebuilding Journey Passport](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/your-homebuilding-journey-passport) - 17 May 2023 #### [Managing Indoor Air Quality](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/managing-indoor-air-quality) - 25 Apr 2023 #### [Rockland Park - Sales Team of the Year](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/rockland-park-sales-team-of-the-year) ![Cedarglen HOMES](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/hubfs/Cedarglenhomes_January2019/Images/logo.png) #### Get in touch - 4770 110 Avenue S.E. Calgary, Alberta, T2C 2T8 - 403-255-2000 - [info@cedarglenhomes.com](mailto:info@cedarglenhomes.com) #### Social Media - - - - - #### Newsletter Signup [Register](https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/managing-indoor-air-quality#subscribe_form_popup) Copyright ©2019 Cedarglen Homes | [Privacy Policy](https://www.cedarglenhomes.com/privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Janelle Twomey", "url" : "https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/author/janelle-twomey" }, "dateModified" : "2023-05-17T13:57:09.982Z", "datePublished" : "2023-05-17T13:57:09.000Z", "headline" : "Managing Indoor Air Quality", "image" : [ "https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/hubfs/air-quality-blog-photo.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/managing-indoor-air-quality", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.cedarglenhomes.com/hubfs/CH-Logo.png" }, "name" : "Cedarglen Homes" } } ```