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Indoor Air Quality and Wildfire Smoke

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:12:49 GMT

Protecting Your Home's Air Quality During Wildfire Season

If you have lived in the Pacific Northwest for more than a couple of years, you know what late summer can look like. Hazy skies, the smell of smoke drifting through the air, and air quality warnings that last for days or even weeks. Wildfire smoke has become a seasonal reality for communities across Washington, including right here in Kelso and Longview.

What many homeowners do not realize is that outdoor smoke finds its way indoors through gaps, open windows, and even your HVAC system. Without the right precautions, the air inside your home during a smoke event can be just as unhealthy as the air outside.

Here is what you can do to protect your family.

Understand What Is in Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. These particles are small enough to penetrate deep into your lungs and can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, and worsening symptoms for people with asthma, allergies, or heart conditions. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable.

The goal during smoke season is to reduce the concentration of these particles inside your home as much as possible.

Keep Windows and Doors Closed

This sounds obvious, but it is the most important step. When air quality is poor, resist the urge to open windows for ventilation. Keep all windows and exterior doors closed. If you normally use a whole-house fan or attic fan for cooling, turn it off during smoke events, as these systems pull outdoor air directly into your home.

Use your air conditioning or heat pump to cool your home instead. These systems recirculate indoor air without bringing in outside air, as long as the fresh air intake damper is closed.

Upgrade Your HVAC Filter

Your standard HVAC filter is designed to catch dust and large particles, but it may not be effective against the fine particles in wildfire smoke. During smoke season, upgrade to a MERV 13 filter or higher. These filters are designed to capture a much larger percentage of fine particulate matter.

Check the filter more frequently during heavy smoke events. A filter that normally lasts 90 days might need to be replaced in 30 days or less when it is working overtime to clean smoke-laden air.

One important note: not all HVAC systems can handle high-MERV filters. A filter that is too restrictive for your equipment can reduce airflow and strain the blower motor. If you are unsure what your system can handle, give us a call and we can recommend the right filter for your setup.

Consider a Standalone Air Purifier

For rooms where you spend the most time, a portable air purifier with a true HEPA filter can make a significant difference. Look for a unit rated for the square footage of the room and make sure it uses a HEPA filter rather than just an ionizer or UV light.

Place the purifier in your bedroom at night and in your main living area during the day. Running it continuously on a low setting is more effective than running it on high for short bursts.

Whole-Home Air Quality Solutions

If wildfire smoke is a recurring concern, and for most of us in the Pacific Northwest it is, a whole-home air purification system may be worth considering. These systems integrate directly into your existing ductwork and clean the air every time your HVAC system runs.

Options include media air cleaners, electronic air cleaners, and UV germicidal lights that work together to reduce particulates, allergens, and airborne pathogens. We can evaluate your current system and recommend the right solution based on your home's size and your air quality goals.

Create a Clean Room

During the worst smoke days, designate one room in your home as a clean room. Choose a room with few windows and doors, close it off from the rest of the house, and run a portable air purifier inside. This gives your family a space with the cleanest possible air when conditions outside are at their worst.

When to Call a Professional

If you notice that your home feels stuffy, your allergies are worse than usual, or your HVAC system seems to be struggling during smoke season, it may be time for a professional assessment. Our team can inspect your system, recommend the right filtration upgrades, and make sure your equipment is set up to handle poor outdoor air quality.

Call Carlson's Heating and Air at 360-425-4888 or visit our indoor air quality page to learn more about the solutions we offer. Your family deserves to breathe clean air, even when the skies say otherwise.

Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:08:14 GMT

5 HVAC Maintenance Tasks to Complete Before Summer Hits

Every year, the first real heat wave catches homeowners off guard. The air conditioner has been sitting idle for months, and when you finally flip it on, nothing happens. Or worse, it runs but blows warm air.

A little preparation in the spring goes a long way toward keeping your home comfortable all summer. Here are five things you can do now to avoid a breakdown when temperatures climb.

1. Replace Your Air Filter

This is the simplest and most overlooked maintenance task. A dirty filter restricts airflow, makes your system work harder, and drives up your energy bill. It can also shorten the life of your equipment.

Check your filter every 30 days and replace it at least every 90 days. If you have pets, allergies, or a dusty home, change it monthly. A clean filter is cheap and takes less than a minute to swap out.

2. Clear the Area Around Your Outdoor Unit

Over the fall and winter, leaves, branches, and debris tend to pile up around your outdoor condenser unit. Before you start using your cooling system, take a few minutes to clear away anything within two feet of the unit on all sides.

Good airflow around the condenser is critical for efficient operation. If vegetation has grown up around it, trim it back. If the fins on the unit look bent or clogged, a gentle rinse with a garden hose can help, but be careful not to use high pressure.

3. Test Your System Before You Need It

Do not wait for the first 85-degree day to turn on your air conditioner. Run it for 15 to 20 minutes on a mild day and pay attention. Is cool air coming from the vents? Are there any unusual sounds? Does it cycle on and off normally?

Testing early gives you time to schedule a repair before the summer rush, when HVAC companies across the area are booked out for weeks.

4. Check Your Thermostat

If your thermostat uses batteries, replace them. If you have an older manual thermostat, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart model. A programmable thermostat lets you set different temperatures for when you are home, away, and asleep, which can save you 10 to 15 percent on cooling costs without any effort.

Make sure the thermostat is reading the correct temperature and that the cooling mode engages properly when you lower the set point.

5. Schedule a Professional Tune-Up

Even if everything seems to be working fine, an annual tune-up catches small problems before they become expensive repairs. A trained technician will inspect electrical connections, check refrigerant levels, clean the coils, and verify that everything is operating within manufacturer specifications.

Our Peace of Mind Comfort and Safety Program includes annual tune-ups along with priority scheduling and discounts on repairs. It is the easiest way to keep your system running reliably year after year.

Ready to get your system summer-ready? Call Carlson's Heating and Air at 360-425-4888 or request service online. We will make sure your cooling system is ready before the heat arrives.

Heat Pumps in the Pacific Northwest

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:03:54 GMT

Why PNW Homeowners Are Switching to Heat Pumps

If you have been thinking about upgrading your heating and cooling system, you are not alone. Across the Pacific Northwest, homeowners in Kelso, Longview, and the surrounding communities are replacing their old furnaces and window AC units with modern heat pumps. Here is why the trend is picking up speed and what it could mean for your home.

What Is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a single system that handles both heating and cooling. Instead of burning fuel to create heat, it moves warmth from one place to another. In the winter, it pulls heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside. In the summer, it reverses the process and acts like an air conditioner.

Because it transfers heat rather than generating it, a heat pump can deliver two to three times more energy than it consumes. That efficiency is the main reason homeowners are paying attention.

Why They Work So Well in Our Climate

The Pacific Northwest has mild winters compared to much of the country. Temperatures in the Kelso and Longview area rarely stay below freezing for extended periods, which is exactly the kind of climate where heat pumps perform at their best.

Modern cold-climate heat pump models can operate efficiently down to well below zero degrees, but our typical winter lows in the 30s and 40s mean a standard heat pump will run at peak efficiency for most of the season. That translates directly into lower utility bills.

The Cost Savings Add Up

Homeowners who switch from an older gas furnace or electric baseboard heaters to a heat pump often see their energy bills drop by 30 to 50 percent. The exact savings depend on the age of your current system, the size of your home, and your usage habits, but the difference is noticeable from the first month.

There is also the convenience factor. Instead of maintaining separate heating and cooling systems, you have one unit that does both. That means fewer service calls, fewer parts to replace, and a simpler setup overall.

Rebates and Incentives

Federal tax credits and local utility rebates can significantly offset the upfront cost of a heat pump installation. Many homeowners in our area qualify for incentives that bring the net cost down to less than what they would pay for a traditional furnace replacement.

Our team can walk you through the current rebates available in Cowlitz County and help you understand what you qualify for before you make a decision.

Is a Heat Pump Right for Your Home?

Not every home is the same, and the best system for your neighbor might not be the best system for you. Factors like your home's insulation, ductwork condition, and square footage all play a role. That is why we always start with a free in-home evaluation before recommending any equipment.

If you are curious about whether a heat pump makes sense for your home, give us a call at 360-425-4888 or submit a free estimate request on our website. We will take a look at your setup and give you an honest recommendation with no pressure.