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Indoor Air
Wildfire Smoke in LA: Setting Your HVAC Up to Protect Your Family
Three IAQ upgrades that turn your central system into a whole-home air purifier during fire season.
November 29, 2025 6 min read
1. Upgrade to MERV 13 media filter
MERV 13 captures wildfire smoke particles (PM2.5) at 90%+ efficiency, vs. ~20% for a standard MERV 8 1" filter. Pair with a 4-5" deep cabinet so static pressure stays low.
2. Add UV-C coil sanitization
UV-C lamps mounted at the indoor coil neutralize bacteria, viruses, and mold spores that grow in the moisture there. Clean coil = better airflow = healthier air.
3. Install an ERV/HRV for fresh air control
An ERV brings in filtered fresh air on a schedule, and shuts off automatically when outdoor PM2.5 spikes (with a smart controller). The single best smoke-resilience upgrade for an LA home.