As a blanket of smoke continues to cover much of Manitoba, residents are being warned that the air quality might not just mean bad things for your lungs.
Homes and cars across the city are also feeling the effect of the smoke as the haze creeps into filters, say local mechanics.
The smoke in the atmosphere can age your vehicle’s engine air filter the same way driving through dusty back roads can: the air seeps into the quality control measure and blackens the filtration screen.
And that’s not the only part of your vehicle that could feel it.
Cabin filters could also collect dust or air debris and slow air conditioning or hinder airflow.
Inside homes, air-conditioning units are also affected in a similar way.
Bad circulation inside homes can lead to dirty or smelly air coming into rooms and aging filters. Experts also warn that the smoky air could get trapped inside vents and stay indoors longer than it should.
“In most homes in Winnipeg, there’s not a lot of air going out and coming in,” expert Mike Bruce said. “Air quality in the home could be reduced because there would be less air moving through the filter because it’s plugged up. That would put an extra strain on the filtration system.
“Any time you have pollutants in the air, those will then be introduced into the home.”
To combat the smoke and its impression on filters, Manitobans are urged to check and replace their vehicle engine and AC screens.
Even without smoke, it is recommended they are switched out at least once a year — even more frequently if they are used in a cooling unit.
The smoke currently over Manitoba is coming from fires in northern Ontario, and is expected to clear out over the next 24 hours.
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