It’s no surprise to those who have experienced the last few years in the Inland Northwest that summers are becoming hotter and smokier. With this year’s snowpack sitting at around 55% of the normal level for Spokane, we can expect a longer dry season for our region, with potential for smoky wildfires that will create air quality concerns—both inside and outside.

That dynamic presents a significant challenge for commercial buildings that are accustomed to milder temperatures and must ensure clean inside air quality. In some cases, relying on existing heating and air conditioning systems to handle the upcoming warmer months is no longer viable.

It is critical for building owners and facility managers to prepare before the scorching days arrive and new equipment becomes scarce. Despite ongoing challenges with potential parts shortages and supply chain disruptions, it’s possible to put in place effective strategies to address these issues before they escalate.

Using a systematic approach, it’s important to assess the operation of the building's heating and cooling systems, inspect air filtration systems, consider upgrades, and explore "smart building" technology to keep buildings comfortable.

Building owners and facility managers should prepare the building's air filtration system so it can filter anticipated wildfire smoke effectively. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air within buildings can be of worse quality than the air outside, if not properly ventilated.

Employees expect their work environments to be safe. Minimum efficiency rated value, or MERV, and carbon filters can be used to improve air filtration and reduce odors, particularly during the smoky season. Filters should be changed every 90 to 180 days. Filters installed last summer are likely past their usable life. The industry is still experiencing filter shortages, so submitting orders now is crucial to guarantee that filters are on hand when you need them most.

Now is not the time to defer repairs or maintenance on a building’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. Implementing a custom "smart building" system that integrates into the building's controls can be an important step for building owners and facility managers.

Such a system constantly monitors the heating and air conditioning equipment, detecting faults and changes in temperature, pressure, and utility usage. It can be configured for 24/7 remote monitoring to identify, diagnose, and assist facilities teams and technicians to resolve issues quickly  before they amount to more costly complications.

Waiting until problems become noticeable can result in inoperable equipment, production loss, and additional damage. This is particularly critical for essential-service buildings such as hospitals, health care facilities, and residences for vulnerable adults, where heating and cooling problems can compromise patients’ well-being. Production facilities, lab sites, clean rooms, and data centers risk increasing production costs due to prolonged downtime.

Even establishments with lesser regulatory standards, such as office spaces, retail establishments, and multiuse buildings, should prioritize their comfort cooling systems. Washington state is putting many new HVAC and energy regulations in place, making it even more important for building owners and landlords to comply with ever-changing requirements.

Now is the time to schedule an assessment to evaluate the adequacy and condition of the existing cooling equipment to handle heatwaves and smoke-filled skies. Regular filter changes and coil cleanings should also be part of routine maintenance to ensure optimum performance during the hot summer days.

The consequences of being unprepared were evident during the 2021 "heat dome" event, where temperatures soared above 100 degrees. This caused businesses to scramble for last-minute solutions to ensure the well-being and safety of their building occupants.

We know that heat and smoke are on the horizon. We also know that early preparation ensures comfort and maintains productivity in the long run.

Kurt Gumerman is the Inland Northwest operations manager with mechanical contractor MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions. He can be reached at 206.319.5436 or [email protected].