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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchTo reduce wildfire-smoke exposure indoors, close windows and doors, set up a cleaner-air room, and filter its air with a properly sized portable air cleaner or compatible HVAC system. Avoid activities that add particles indoors, and keep the home safely cool. Filtration can reduce exposure, but it cannot make a home smoke-proof. Follow local air-quality updates and emergency alerts; evacuate if instructed.
Why smoke indoors matters—and what a cleaner-air room can do
Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that can irritate the eyes and respiratory system. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with heart or lung disease may be more vulnerable. People with heart or lung disease should talk with their health-care provider about what to do during smoke events.
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Smoke can enter through open windows and doors, outside-air intakes, and other openings. It can also build up indoors when activities such as frying, smoking, or burning candles add particles. Closing openings where appropriate and filtering indoor air can lower exposure, but neither measure removes every particle or guarantees a health outcome.
A cleaner-air room is a place where household members can spend as much time as practical while outdoor air is smoky. It works best when it is comfortable enough for an extended stay, can be closed off from the rest of the home, and has filtration suited to its size. The room is not a substitute for following evacuation orders or finding a safer place if the home becomes too hot or smoky.
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Think of the goal as reducing exposure, not sealing a home perfectly. Conditions outdoors can shift quickly, and particles may still get inside even when doors and windows are shut. A room-sized cleaner can help make one part of the home a better place to spend time; central filtration may help throughout the home if the equipment and filter are compatible. Choose an approach people can actually use consistently, and keep checking local conditions.
Set up a cleaner-air room
- Check current conditions first. Use AirNow or your state or local air-quality agency, and monitor emergency alerts. Smoke can change quickly. Follow evacuation instructions; this setup is for times when it is safe to remain at home.
- Choose a room that can accommodate everyone. A bedroom with an attached bathroom may be convenient if it suits your household. Choose enough space for people to stay comfortably, and, if possible, a room that can be closed off from the rest of the house.
- Close the room’s windows and doors. Do not block an emergency exit. If the household has one designated cleaner-air room, spend as much time there as practical while smoke is bad.
- Choose a filtration method and set it up before smoke worsens, if possible. A portable cleaner serves the room it is in; a compatible forced-air HVAC system may filter air across the home while its fan runs. Some households can use both.
- Reduce particle sources and manage cooling. Keep outdoor air entry limited when appropriate, avoid activities that add particles, and use safe cooling. If the home cannot stay cool or smoke continues to enter, move to a cleaner-air location.
When choosing the room, consider where people will sleep, spend time, and access essentials during a smoky period. The room should fit everyone who needs to use it for an extended stay, not just the air cleaner. Keep the path to an exit clear, and do not compromise emergency egress to keep a door closed. If the house has no room that can be closed off, use the best available space and focus on filtration, reducing particle sources, and following local safety guidance.
Choose a filtration option that fits your home
| Option | Where it helps | What to check | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable air cleaner | The room where the unit is operating | Smoke clean air delivery rate (CADR), room area, and CARB certification | Higher fan settings can be noisy; filters need checking and replacement |
| Central forced-air HVAC filtration | Potentially across the home while the system fan runs | Whether the equipment can accommodate a MERV 13-or-higher filter | A filter that is too restrictive may not suit the system |
| DIY box-fan cleaner | A room where a temporary unit is set up | High-efficiency filter, correct airflow direction, sealed gaps, and a newer UL- or ETL-marked fan | Performance varies by design and assembly; it is not EPA’s recommended permanent substitute for a commercial cleaner with known performance |
These options are not interchangeable in every home. A portable unit has a stated smoke CADR to compare with room size. HVAC filtration depends on equipment compatibility. A DIY unit may be useful when commercial cleaners are unavailable or unaffordable, but its performance depends on how it is built.
For a single room, a portable cleaner offers a direct way to match filtration capacity to the space. Central HVAC can circulate filtered air more broadly, but only while the fan runs and only if the system can handle the filter. A household may use both: for example, compatible HVAC filtration for general circulation and a portable unit in the room where people spend the most time. Neither option makes the home smoke-proof.
There is no exact cost comparison in this guidance. A DIY box-fan setup is described as a lower-cost temporary option, while commercial cleaners provide a stated CADR that makes performance comparisons more standardized. Consider not only purchase cost but whether replacement filters are available, how often they may need changing during heavy smoke, and whether the noise level is practical for continuous use. No particular product model is endorsed here.
Size a portable air cleaner by smoke CADR
CADR is a measure of how quickly an air cleaner delivers filtered air; for wildfire smoke, compare the unit’s smoke CADR with the area of the room it will serve. EPA’s rule of thumb is a smoke CADR of at least two-thirds of the room’s floor area in square feet. For example, a 300-square-foot room calls for a smoke CADR of at least 200. This is a sizing guideline, not a guarantee that smoke will be eliminated.
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- Use the smoke CADR rather than relying only on a product’s general “coverage” claim.
- Choose a CARB-certified portable cleaner. EPA identifies CARB-certified units as producing little or no ozone; do not assume every air purifier is ozone-free.
- Run the cleaner continuously on the highest setting household members can tolerate. Higher settings may clean faster but can be louder, so the setting people can live with matters.
- Check the filter regularly. Heavy smoke can dirty filters sooner than the usual replacement schedule; change a filter when it is dirty and follow the unit’s instructions.
EPA’s current indoor-filtration guidance expresses the sizing rule this way: “Choose a PAC with a clean air delivery rate (CADR) for tobacco smoke that is at least two-thirds of the room area in square feet.” The advice uses the tobacco-smoke CADR rating as the relevant measure for sizing a portable air cleaner for smoke.
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Higher fan settings move more air through the cleaner but may be disruptive, especially in a bedroom or shared space. Run it as high as household members can tolerate and keep it operating continuously during smoky conditions. A lower setting that is used consistently may be more practical than a louder setting that people frequently turn off. Check the filter during heavy smoke and replace it when dirty; smoky conditions may mean it needs attention sooner than the normal schedule.
Use HVAC filtration only within the system’s limits
EPA recommends a MERV 13 or higher filter when a forced-air system can handle it. MERV indicates a filter’s particle-removal efficiency, but choosing a higher rating without checking compatibility is not a safe shortcut: a filter that is too restrictive may not be suitable for a particular system.
- Check the HVAC equipment documentation or ask the system manufacturer what filter efficiency it supports.
- If the answer is unclear, ask an HVAC professional before upgrading the filter.
- During smoky periods, run the system fan as often as possible. If the controls offer “On” and “Auto,” selecting “On” rather than “Auto” keeps the fan running more often.
- If the system has a fresh-air intake or outside-air option, use recirculation or close that intake when appropriate during smoky conditions.
Central filtration can serve the home when the fan runs and the system supports the filter. It does not replace a portable cleaner in a particular room if the system cannot accommodate an effective filter or if additional room-level filtration is needed.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsDo not choose a filter based on the MERV number alone. Check the filter dimensions and the equipment’s allowable efficiency, and ask the manufacturer or an HVAC professional if you are unsure. The aim is to improve filtration without installing a filter the system cannot handle. If a compatible high-efficiency filter is not available for your equipment, a properly sized portable cleaner may be a more suitable room-level option.
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Build a temporary box-fan cleaner carefully
EPA recognizes a DIY box-fan cleaner as a temporary, lower-cost alternative when commercial air cleaners are unavailable or unaffordable. Use a high-efficiency filter, preferably MERV 13 or higher, and follow EPA’s current guidance to use a newer fan with a UL or ETL mark. EPA describes the fan as one made since 2012.
- Orient the filter so its airflow arrows point in the direction the air is moving through the setup.
- Seal gaps between the fan and filter so air is less likely to bypass the filter.
- Use the unit as a temporary measure, not as a permanent replacement for a commercial cleaner with known performance.
- Account for noise and check the filter during heavy smoke; the build’s performance depends on its design and assembly.
EPA has summarized results from a wildfire smoke event in which a DIY air cleaner in a larger room reduced PM2.5 by about 56% after 90 minutes, and one in a smaller room reduced it by about 99% within 60 minutes. These are reported results for particular rooms and a particular event, not expected or guaranteed performance for every fan, filter, room, or home. EPA’s summary does not provide the underlying study’s full bibliographic details.
The figures illustrate that a DIY unit can reduce fine-particle levels in some circumstances, not that every box-fan build will achieve the same result. Construction, room size, filter fit, and use all matter, so orient the filter correctly and close gaps where air could bypass it. If commercial cleaners are unavailable or unaffordable, this can be a temporary option; it should not be treated as a permanent replacement for a commercial unit with known performance.
Keep indoor particle sources down
Once a room is set up, avoid adding particles that the filtration system then has to remove. During smoky conditions, avoid:
- Smoking or vaping.
- Burning candles or incense, or using wood-burning or gas combustion indoors.
- Aerosol sprays.
- High-temperature cooking, including frying or broiling.
- Ordinary vacuuming, which can stir particles back into the air. EPA identifies a vacuum with a HEPA filter as the exception.
A range hood or exhaust fan can pull smoky air from elsewhere into the room, so use one only briefly when necessary. Damp wiping or mopping can collect settled dust without relying on ordinary vacuuming.
These steps matter even when a cleaner is running: filtration is working against both smoke that enters from outside and particles generated indoors. If you need to prepare food, avoid high-temperature methods such as frying or broiling while smoke is bad. Avoid adding unnecessary sprays or combustion sources, and use a HEPA-filter vacuum rather than an ordinary vacuum if vacuuming cannot wait. For routine cleanup, damp wiping or mopping helps collect settled dust without stirring as much back into the air.
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Balance smoke protection with cooling and safety
Keeping outdoor air out can make it harder to manage indoor heat, so cooling is part of the plan. Use air conditioning, fans, or another safe cooling method while limiting outdoor-air intake when smoke is bad. If an air conditioner has a fresh-air option, use recirculation or close the intake when appropriate.
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EPA cautions that single-hose portable air conditioners can draw smoke into a home. Use one sparingly in smoky conditions. If the home becomes too hot, power is lost, or smoke continues to enter, consider staying with friends or family, using a public cleaner-air shelter, or going to a large air-conditioned building with good filtration. Leave for a cleaner-air location if exposure remains high or the home cannot be kept cool.
Do not treat a closed-up room as the safer choice if heat is becoming unsafe. The balance is to limit smoke entry while still using safe cooling and responding to household needs. A single-hose portable air conditioner may draw smoky air indoors, so EPA advises using it sparingly during smoky conditions. If power fails, the home cannot be kept cool, or smoke keeps getting in, options include staying with friends or family, a public cleaner-air shelter, or a large air-conditioned building with good filtration. Follow emergency instructions and leave when needed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When outdoor air improves, ventilate
When outdoor air quality improves—even temporarily—EPA advises airing out the home to clear remaining smoky air. Check current local conditions rather than relying on a fixed time of day: a change in wind or fire activity can alter smoke levels. Once air quality worsens again, return to limiting smoke entry and using filtration.
Use current local readings to decide when to ventilate; there is no fixed hour that is reliably best. If conditions improve only temporarily, make use of that window to air out the home, then close openings and resume smoke-reduction steps if air quality deteriorates.
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Quick checks when the setup is not working
- The room still smells smoky: Keep its windows and doors closed, check whether the cleaner is running continuously, and verify that the smoke CADR is appropriate for the room area. Check for an overdue or dirty filter and reduce avoidable indoor particle sources.
- The HVAC filter upgrade seems uncertain: Do not assume MERV 13 or higher is suitable. Confirm the system’s supported filter with its manufacturer or an HVAC professional.
- The room is too noisy for the cleaner’s highest setting: Higher settings may be louder. Use the highest setting household members can tolerate and prioritize spending time in the cleaner-air room.
- The home is too hot or smoke remains heavy indoors: Do not keep the home sealed at the expense of safe cooling. Seek a cleaner-air place, and follow emergency instructions.
- Outdoor air is temporarily better: Recheck local air-quality information and ventilate while conditions are improved, then close openings again if smoke returns.
If the portable cleaner is not keeping up, recheck the basics before changing the whole setup: room area, smoke CADR, continuous operation, filter condition, and possible indoor particle sources. For HVAC, the key question is compatibility, not simply whether a higher-rated filter can be purchased. For a DIY build, check airflow direction and gaps. If the home remains too hot or smoky despite reasonable steps, relocate to a cleaner-air place rather than relying on filtration alone.
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EPA’s indoor smoke guidance is a practical exposure-reduction approach, not a promise of a smoke-free home. The most useful plan is one that matches the room, the filtration equipment, and the household’s ability to stay cool and safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I reduce my exposure to smoke when indoors at home?
Close windows and doors where appropriate, set up a room that can be closed off and fits everyone comfortably, and filter its air with a properly sized portable cleaner or compatible HVAC system. Reduce activities that add particles indoors, keep the home safely cool, and check AirNow or local alerts for changing conditions. Filtration can reduce exposure but cannot make a home smoke-proof.
What size air purifier do I need for wildfire smoke?
Compare the unit’s smoke CADR with the room’s floor area. EPA’s rule of thumb is a smoke CADR at least two-thirds of the room area in square feet. For a 300-square-foot room, that means a smoke CADR of at least 200. This is a sizing guideline, not a guarantee of smoke removal.
Can I use a MERV 13 filter in my HVAC system?
EPA recommends MERV 13 or higher when the forced-air system can handle it. Check the equipment documentation or ask the system manufacturer; if compatibility is unclear, consult an HVAC professional. A filter that is too restrictive may not suit the system.
Are DIY box-fan air cleaners effective during wildfire smoke?
EPA recognizes them as a temporary, lower-cost option when commercial cleaners are unavailable or unaffordable. Use a high-efficiency filter, preferably MERV 13 or higher, orient airflow arrows correctly, seal gaps, and use a newer fan with a UL or ETL mark. Performance varies by design and assembly, so it is not a permanent substitute for a commercial cleaner with known performance.
Should I keep windows closed all day during a wildfire smoke event?
Limit smoke entry while outdoor air is smoky, but recheck local air quality rather than following a fixed schedule. EPA advises airing out the home when outdoor air improves, even temporarily, to clear remaining smoky air. Close openings again if smoke returns.
What if my home gets too hot while I am keeping smoke out?
Use safe cooling while limiting outdoor-air intake when appropriate. If the home cannot be kept cool, power is lost, or smoke continues to enter, seek a cleaner-air location, such as staying with friends or family, using a public cleaner-air shelter, or going to a large air-conditioned building with good filtration. Follow emergency instructions.
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The Bottom Line
Close openings when smoke is bad, spend time in a comfortable cleaner-air room, and use filtration matched to the space and equipment: a portable cleaner sized by smoke CADR, compatible HVAC filtration, or a temporary DIY box-fan unit when needed. Reduce indoor particle sources, keep cooling and emergency safety in view, and ventilate when local outdoor air improves. These steps can reduce exposure, but they do not guarantee a smoke-free home.
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