A local HVAC expert is offering some advice to homeowners concerned about air quality advisories issued in many parts of the province.

Depending on the winds, the smoke is forcing many people to close their windows and shut off the ventilation portion of their HVAC units to preserve air quality in their homes.

Heat pumps are not an issue since they don’t bring outdoor air in, but an HVAC pumps outside air indoors.

Glen Upshall of Cole Air Contracting says there’s a right way and wrong way to shut down an HVAC unit.

“A lot of the time, turning them off by the controller doesn’t always work. It cuts them back so much. It’s probably better off to unplug the system themselves. Some units work on continuous, some run on thermostats.”