How Your Furnace Affects Your Health and Comfort
Did you know that spending most of your time indoors does not necessarily guarantee comfort and safety? With poor indoor air quality, you may deal with various respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, allergies, and even lung cancer. The furnace is a significant contributor to indoor air quality and poses potential health risks if installed, maintained, or used improperly. We will discuss how your furnace affects your health and comfort at home and some tips to keep your indoor air healthy.
Impact of Furnace on Health
The furnace can harm your health, especially if it is not maintained and used efficiently. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a study that exposure to excessive carbon monoxide from your furnace can lead to headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness, among other signs and symptoms. Carbon monoxide is a odorless and poisonous gas that can lead to death in serious cases. Additionally, your furnace can dry out your indoor air, causing skin and eye irritation, respiratory illnesses, and other health conditions.
Furnace Maintenance for Optimal Efficiency
It would be best to schedule regular furnace maintenance to ensure efficient operation and minimize health risks. Furnace maintenance includes inspecting and cleaning the furnace's critical components to ensure they function correctly, replacing air filters, and ensuring your furnace is free from gas leaks. There are affordable and comprehensive furnace maintenance plans that can keep your heating system in optimal condition throughout the year.
Ventilation and Humidification
Proper indoor ventilation is crucial in improving your indoor air quality. It allows the fresh air into your home, removing stale air and pollutants that can cause respiratory and other health issues. Furthermore, installing a humidifier can restore proper humidity levels and mitigate excessive dryness, contributing to various health conditions.
Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality
Energy-efficient homes reduce your heating expenses while maintaining optimum comfort levels. However, the trade-off is that it can trap indoor pollutants and reduce indoor air quality. Therefore, to sustain a healthy indoor environment, you may consider aerating your home naturally by opening doors and windows or ventilating your house with a heat recovery ventilator (HRV).
Professional Furnace Installation and Repair
A poorly installed furnace can present numerous health risks and negatively affect your indoor air quality. For that reason, you should ensure that you only hire qualified HVAC contractors who can install, maintain, and repair your furnace correctly. Doing so will give you the peace of mind that your heating system is functioning efficiently, eliminating health risks and improving the overall comfort of your home.
Your furnace is a critical appliance in your home and central to your safety, comfort, and wellbeing. With proper installation, efficient operation, and professional maintenance, you can keep your indoor air quality comfortable and healthy. Regular furnace inspections, proper ventilation and humidification, and professional installation, repair, and maintenance are some steps you can take to achieve this. Contact us at Master Mechanical to help you achieve optimal indoor air quality in the Mount Prospect, IL, area.
