Smoked Out? in Bellingham, WA
With smoke inundating NW Washington from wildfires, many people are asking how best they can utilize their HVAC systems to protect and improve their indoor air quality (IAQ). At Barron, we take a WholeHome™ or "Beyond the Box" view to Home Performance. In other words, we look at more than just the furnace and the filter. With this in mind, we’d like to share a few key considerations.
- We deliver balanced air flow to improve the comfort of your home
- We improve indoor air quality for the health of you and your family
- We optimize air systems to support the performance of your WholeHome™
- WholeHome™ Members receive a 10% discount on cleaning services, including chimneys, ducts, and more.
Take a deep dive with us into the yearly air quality struggles we deal with–how to mitigate them, how to prepare for them, and how we can be of service to you when they arrive. We’ll also include an air quality glossary down below to explain some terms for our customers who are just starting out in the world of indoor air quality!
Indoor Air Quality Glossary
Here are a few terms to help our customers navigate an air quality emergency. These terms are important to understand so you can pinpoint which solutions are the best for your unique issues, and how to take advantage of our team to get them quickly and adequately installed. These terms might also help you to avoid hiring an amateur who doesn’t know quite as much as they should!
- IAQ. Indoor air quality. The overall term used to describe anything that impacts your home’s air quality.
- MERV. Minimum efficiency rating value. This is a standard value used to determine how thick a residential or commercial filter might be.
- HVAC. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. This term encapsulates your whole home comfort system, including air quality.
- CO. Carbon monoxide, the invisible and dangerous gas that can be the result of combustion. This is often confused with carbon dioxide, which is very different but can still be just as dangerous.
- CO2. A common gas found in the environment that is the product of the human respiratory process.
- PM. Particulate matter. This is usually followed by a number which describes how large the diameter of a pollutant particle is. Filters with powerful MERV ratings can stop particulates with a very tiny diameter from entering your air.
- VOC. Volatile organic compounds. These are pollutants that are often produced from cooking smoke, paint, and other chemicals that release fumes. These can be hazardous when inhaled and should be limited.
- AQI. Air quality index. This term will be used to denote the quality of the outside air quality, which can be very important during wildfire season.
- EACs. Electronic air cleaners. These are systems that charge particles in the air to draw them in for cleaning.
Contact our Bellingham Home Performance Experts for assistance during air quality emergencies! We’ve proudly served the I-5 corridor from Blaine to Marysville, Oak Harbor to Concrete, and the San Juan Islands since 1972. Our Mission: Improving Lives™.
Barron’s WholeHome™ Membership Plans
Ensure your home is protected and that your HVAC, Electrical, and/or Plumbing systems are running safely, reliably, and efficiently all year long.
- Priority Service: You’re always at the head of the line
- Protection: Your system is protected 24/7–365, and you’re covered with our Lifetime Parts Replacement Guarantee
- Savings: Save money on every trade—20% off repairs, 10% off cleaning service, 5% off equipment—plus a Membership Price Lock, seasonal promotions, and special financing
- Plans Starting at $10 a Month
6,000+ Five-Star Reviews
Customers Love Our Outstanding Service!
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"I’m very happy with Barron and the team!"I had to leave before finished, when returned everything was in its place and the door was locked.- Shay W.
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"Thank you for doing such a great job Elmer!"Elmer was punctual, professional but very friendly and explained everything he did in detail to me. He gladly answered all of my questions and gave me lots of after care tips.- Barb S.
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"They left our house spotless! I highly recommend Barron and really appreciated these two hard working employees."It was a rainy day, but Barron Heating was right on time. Andrew M. and Tyler C. did a great job. They were very professional and took the time to answer all our questions we had about operating and maintaining our new heating/cooling system.- Kathleen O.
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"All very professional and great to work with!"I have confidence in them and all the work Barron has done at my home and the furnace at my rental.- Jason S.
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"They may have left the house cleaner than they found it!"Start to finish the service delivered. I got an in-person estimate by Eric and a follow up date was set. Ken and Oscar showed up and did both furnaces and both dryer vents.- Jane D.
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"I am extremely pleased with the job they did. Give them my sincere thanks!"Meticulous in their work. Obviously very experienced. Carefully explained what they were doing and how the boiler would operate after installation. Both men were courteous and respectful of me and my home.- Rodger B.
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"Always helpful, friendly and clear!"Good workmanship and totally worth it. They give me peace of mind when they work on my stuff. Damien and another fella were here today and did a great job!- Rebecca H.
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"The mini splits are so quiet!"Sam was a great installer. We got a house wide mini split. He installed it in 1 day. He was friendly, and efficient. He answered all our questions. He was clean and even wore booties in our house.- Kathryn M.
Indoor Air Quality Frequently Asked Questions (an "IAQ FAQ")
Question: Will a bigger filter help?
Your home’s HVAC system is equipped with a system filter that uses a MERV rating system. While standard filtration (typically a MERV 11 filter) does contribute to indoor air quality, it is important to note it is designed to protect the equipment. So, does upsizing or increasing the MERV rating of a filter help? The short answer is yes, but there is a very possible negative impact, too. Higher MERV rated filters can significantly increase the static pressure of your home’s duct system. Static pressure is like the blood pressure of your home’s HVAC system. Static pressure that is too high is actually the number one cause of equipment failure. So attempting to increase the size of the filter without taking into account the entire system can potentially lead to equipment failure.
Question: How can I check the static pressure of my home?
A Barron Home Performance Expert can test the static pressure of your duct system to determine what’s necessary to increase filtration. Contact us today to schedule a Home Performance Assessment.
