Wildfire smoke HVAC filtration in Highland Park with a real smoke mode.

Smoke filtration for Highland Park homes (lessons from January 2025)

Highland Park was outside both fire perimeters but downwind of the January 2025 events. Not affected directly but received Eaton Fire smoke when northeast winds carried plumes basin-ward. For Highland Park families planning the next event, the engineering question is not "should we filter" but "can the HVAC system actually carry the filter we want." The answer is measured during the audit: a 4-inch MERV 13 cabinet only works when the blower has the headroom and the return-side seal stops bypass.

foothill-adjacent smoke days that make leaky return systems obvious

Read the MERV 13 wildfire smoke guide for the longer engineering reference.

Highland Park smoke audit pattern (90042)

Highland Park projects in 90042 navigate the Highland Park-Garvanza HPOZ overlay protecting 1900s-1920s craftsman bungalows along York Boulevard, North Figueroa, and Marmion Way. Mount Angelus hillside lots add LADBS Hillside Ordinance review on top of historic preservation. The original craftsman housing stock has 14×20 or smaller hallway return grilles, undersized by modern standards (target 144 sq in/ton minimum); typical audit recommendation includes return upsizing as the leverage point before any equipment replacement. Garvanza area benefits from north-facing slopes that reduce afternoon solar gain compared to south-facing slopes 0.4 miles south.

ASHRAE 62.2 plus smoke events: what to close and what to run

Fan-on versus auto: during smoke events, fan-on continuous keeps the central blower actively scrubbing particles. Auto mode only filters when the system is calling for cooling or heating, which during a mild Highland Park smoke day might be only 15–30% of the hour.

Cost of fan-on continuous: typical 1/2 HP residential blower draws 350–500 W. Running 24 hours adds 8–12 kWh per day, which at typical LADWP rates is roughly $2–$4 per day. Acceptable during active events; not the right default for normal operation.

duct leakage, filter cabinet upgrades, heat pump planning, and ADU or garage conversion comfort

What Highland Park smoke-ready upgrades typically cost

Filter media budget across a "normal" year: $160–$320 (two replacements at 6 months). Across an active smoke year (multiple AirNow events): $480–$960 (5–8 replacements). Across a year like 2025 with the Eaton and Palisades fires plus normal summer wildfires: budget in the $640–$1,280 range. The handoff packet includes the part number and the re-order link.

Highland Park was outside both fire perimeters but downwind of the January 2025 events. Not affected directly but received Eaton Fire smoke when northeast winds carried plumes basin-ward.

duct leakage, filter cabinet upgrades, heat pump planning, and ADU or garage conversion comfort

Schedule the smoke audit: what to bring

Smoke audits in Highland Park schedule 5–10 business days out under normal conditions. During an active smoke event, rush priority compresses to 24–72 hours when site access permits. Call +1 (213) 805-8137 or use the booking widget.

The deliverable: a written smoke mode for your home — what to install, what to change in operating settings, what to keep on hand, and what the system cannot reasonably do.

Permits route through LADBS. Highland Park-Garvanza HPOZ overlay adds historic review; standard counter permits 1–3 days.