The furnace’s primary purpose is to keep you warm and toasty. But it influences the air quality in your home, too. Keep reading to learn tips and tricks you can apply to ensure the furnace in your Riverside, California, home is improving your indoor air quality.
Change the Air Filter Regularly
The filter on the furnace filters dust, dirt and other airborne allergens, such as pet dander. Once the filter is dirty, it can’t effectively remove these particles from the air. Failing to change the filter at least once a month will likely worsen any allergy or asthma symptoms that you suffer from. If you have indoor pets, check the filter once every 10 days. Pet dander will clog a filter quickly. If the filter is dirty, go ahead and change it.
Use the Right Air Filter in Your Furnace
If you’ve ever shopped for an air filter before, you know they come in different sizes and thicknesses. A filter that’s too small for the furnace won’t filter the air effectively. As a result, airborne particles like dust and dirt will make their way into your ductwork.
Once in the ductwork, the heat produced by the furnace pushes those particles through the air vents and throughout your home. A filter that’s too big leads to significant heating inefficiencies. You can look at the furnace’s owner manual to determine the right size filter.
Have Your Ventilation Inspected
Poor ventilation can lead to dangerous levels of gas and fumes in homes heated by natural gas, propane or oil furnaces. A buildup of carbon monoxide in the home can result in a variety of symptoms, including nausea, headaches and shortness of breath.
In homes with dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide, it’s possible for death to occur. To prevent this, have your home’s ventilation inspected by a professional HVAC contractor. You can also install a carbon monoxide detector to alert you of high levels of carbon monoxide.
To ensure your furnace is working as it should through the heating season, contact Magnolia Heating and Cooling today. We look forward to helping you maximize heating efficiency while maintaining good indoor air quality.
