San Mateo’s Air Quality Crisis: Why Your AC System Is Under Attack Earlier Than Ever Before

San Mateo County residents are facing an alarming new reality: wildfire smoke is repeatedly causing spikes in PM2.5 air pollution levels, with the county experiencing a sharp rise from 0 high-particle days during 2014-2016 to 8.3 days in 2016-2018, its highest recorded level during the 21st century so far. What’s even more concerning is that during wildfire season, there are more particulates in the air than when there aren’t any wildfires, and HVAC filters will most likely get clogged with particles much faster than in years when fires aren’t a major issue.

The Earlier Emergency: Why Wildfire Season Now Starts Sooner

Climate change has fundamentally altered California’s fire patterns. A 2021 study revealed that increasingly warmer temperatures associated with climate change are leading to more damaging fires in recent years, and since summer months are hotter, with fewer strong winds and less rain, a greater number of wildfires tend to arise. This extended season means San Mateo County homeowners must prepare their HVAC systems for smoke infiltration months earlier than in previous decades.

Nearly half of all unhealthy fine particle air pollution in the western United States results from smoke caused by wildfires, and this smoke doesn’t respect geographical boundaries. Wildfire smoke can drift for hundreds, if not thousands, of miles, bringing unhealthy air conditions as it travels, meaning even fires in neighboring states can impact your home’s air quality.

How Wildfire Particulates Assault Your AC System

Your air conditioning system wasn’t designed to handle the volume of microscopic particles that wildfire smoke contains. Wildfire smoke is actually a cocktail of nasty stuff like gases and tiny particles called PM2.5, which are so small they can sneak past your body’s defenses and get deep into your lungs. These same particles wreak havoc on your HVAC system.

Wildfires create conditions that cause HVAC systems to work harder, and any type of air filter will get clogged in fire and smoke conditions, increasing the amount of energy used by your HVAC system. Even worse, motors can burn out if the filter is too clogged.

The frequency of filter changes during wildfire events is staggering. During active forest fire events or in heavily smoke-affected areas, it may be necessary to change your HVAC filter as often as every 2 to 4 weeks, and if wildfires start up again, you should assume that you are going to be changing your filter with incredible frequency – days and weeks, not months.

San Mateo’s Unique Vulnerability

San Mateo County’s geography creates a perfect storm for air quality issues. While San Mateo benefits from having two adjacent bodies of water that moderate temperatures and provide regular infusions of fresh marine air, its proximity to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, SFO, and Highway 101 expose the city to significant emission sources.

Though the county passes standards for ozone and annual PM2.5, San Mateo County received an F grade for short-term particle pollution (24-hour PM2.5), with the county’s annual weighted average number of high particle (unhealthy air) days being 8.3, well above the pass/fail cutoff of 3.2 days.

Protecting Your Investment: Why Professional HVAC Service Matters

When wildfire smoke threatens your home’s air quality, having a properly maintained HVAC system becomes critical. This is where professional air conditioning service San Mateo County CA becomes essential for protecting both your health and your equipment investment.

Eco Air Cooling and Heating LLC understands the unique challenges facing San Mateo County residents. As your local HVAC company, they offer honest, straightforward solutions to keep your home comfortable and are known for prompt service and lasting results. Their commitment to promoting energy efficiency in every service they offer includes energy-efficient HVAC systems and practices that help you save on utility bills while reducing your environmental impact.

Essential Steps for Wildfire Season Preparation

Preparing your HVAC system for wildfire season requires more than just buying extra filters. Upgrading to a filter rated MERV 13 or higher can be especially important during smoky periods to effectively remove fine particle pollution from smoke in the indoor air, and most furnaces and HVAC systems can accommodate a MERV 13 filter without creating equipment problems, provided that the filter is replaced frequently.

During active smoke events, your HVAC operation strategy must change. If you have a fresh air intake of your central HVAC system, close it and turn on your system’s “Fan” or “Recirculate” option to ensure the system is continuously running and moving air through the filter.

Check your filter often during and after a wildfire advisory, and air conditioners can be run continuously during a fire advisory if you have fresh filters and have closed the intake vent.

The Cost of Inaction

Failing to properly maintain your HVAC system during wildfire season can lead to expensive consequences. An HVAC technician should inspect your AC system, as they know the types of damage to look for, such as corroded condenser coils, clogged vents, or problems with outdoor units, and professional service can prepare your HVAC for the next fire season.

Soot and dust from wildfire smoke can build up in HVAC ducts and then circulate in your home, creating ongoing air quality problems long after the smoke has cleared.

Year-Round Protection Strategy

With wildfire seasons starting earlier and lasting longer, San Mateo County homeowners need year-round HVAC protection strategies. Eco Air Cooling and Heating prides itself on delivering superior HVAC services with a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, with their mission being to provide tailored HVAC solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations by leveraging the latest technology and adhering to industry best practices.

The reality is clear: San Mateo’s air quality emergency is here to stay, and it’s starting earlier each year. Your HVAC system is your first line of defense against harmful particulates, but only if it’s properly maintained and professionally serviced. Don’t wait until the next smoke advisory to discover your system isn’t ready—the time to act is now.