HVAC ventilation during smoke advisory in Greater Vancouver

When a smoke advisory is in effect across the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, the instinct to open windows for fresh air works against you. Managing your home ventilation correctly during these stretches is what keeps indoor air cleaner than the air outside.

Rethinking ventilation when the air outside is smoky

Home ventilation is normally about bringing in fresh outdoor air and exhausting stale indoor air. During a wildfire smoke advisory that logic flips, because the outdoor air is the problem. The goal becomes limiting how much smoky air enters while still keeping indoor air moving and filtered.

Many Greater Vancouver homes, including NTI-equipped setups, have a ventilation system tied into the home's air handling. If yours can recirculate and filter indoor air rather than pulling in outside air, that is the mode you want during an advisory.

• Close windows and exterior doors for the duration of the advisory
• Switch ventilation to recirculate indoor air rather than draw in outdoor air where possible
• Limit use of exhaust fans, which pull smoky make-up air into the home
• Keep your circulating filter fresh so recirculated air stays clean

Safe steps and when to involve a technician

You can safely adjust ventilation modes, close intakes, and replace filters yourself. If your NTI or other ventilation equipment does not have an obvious recirculate setting, check the manual rather than guessing at controls you do not recognize.

If you are not sure how your specific ventilation system behaves during a smoke event, a HeatLand technician can walk through the right settings and confirm your dampers and controls are working as intended. Leave any wiring or internal adjustments to a licensed pro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I shut off my ventilation system during a smoke advisory?

Not necessarily. If your system can recirculate and filter indoor air without pulling in outside air, keep it running in that mode. The aim is to keep clean indoor air moving while blocking smoky outdoor air.

Why shouldn't I run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans during smoke?

Exhaust fans push indoor air out, and that air has to be replaced by make-up air drawn in through gaps around the house, which can be smoky. Use them sparingly during an advisory.

Does my NTI ventilation equipment have a smoke setting?

Settings vary by model. Check whether your system offers a recirculate or fresh-air-off mode in the manual, and have a technician confirm the correct configuration if you are unsure.

How do I know if smoky air is getting in despite closed windows?

A persistent smoky smell or visible haze indoors usually means air is leaking in through gaps or being drawn in by ventilation. Tightening up the home and switching to recirculation usually helps.

HeatLand Heating & Cooling is a licensed and insured, TSBC-certified HVAC company serving homeowners across Greater Vancouver. Our technicians diagnose the real fault, explain your options in plain language, and complete the work safely and to code.

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