Home » About Us » Blog » How Does Your Furnace Affect Indoor Air Quality?
Written on: January 7, 2020
Your furnace does a great job at keeping you safe and warm through the cold Suffolk County winter. But could it be doing that job at the expense of your health and air quality? Here are three questions to ask yourself about your heating system and its impact on your health:
When did you last check the air filter? The air filter in a forced air system is your first line of air quality defense, removing dirt, dander, and debris from the air before it enters your ducts and living space. Check your air filter every month, replacing or cleaning it (depending on the model) according to manufacturer’s instructions or as needed. This will keep irritants and allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites out of your indoor air (it will also help lower your energy bills and make your equipment last longer – two pretty good “bonuses”).
Has your heating system been properly installed and maintained? A properly installed and maintained heating system will run cleanly, efficiently, and safely – helping you, among other things, to save money on your heating bills and avoid a potential build-up of carbon monoxide in your home. We also strongly suggest installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home in accordance with Suffolk County building codes.
What is your house telling you? If your home feels stuffy and stale or you begin to notice an increase in allergy symptoms, frequent static shocks, drooping plants or cracks in your furniture, your old furnace may be to blame. With proper care, your furnace should last about 15 years; beyond that point, efficiency and performance drop-offs usually make a furnace upgrade the better option. Safety will also become an issue over time, since dangerous heat exchanger cracks become more common as the equipment ages. For these reasons and many others, annual furnace inspections are essential – and replacing your old equipment with a safe, high-efficiency heating system is a smart move.
