If you’re wondering about your gas furnace’s indoor air quality, SM Mechanical Services can help you understand the connection between your HVAC system and your home environment. We’re the top provider of furnace services in East Windsor, CT. From Skylark Airport to Dry Brook, we’re passionate about keeping homes comfortable and safe.
Three Ways a Furnace Can Hinder Your Windsor Home’s Air Quality
Indoor air quality deals with the comfort and health of your home’s interior environment. It includes the humidity levels and accurately reaching the settings on your thermostat. A fully functional furnace also removes a significant number of indoor air pollutants, like bacteria, dust and mold spores.
1. A Clogged Filter Won’t Remove Airborne Contaminants
The air filter is the primary way a furnace regulates the levels of pollutants in your indoor environment. You can choose from various air filter types, including ones that only require cleaning or replacement every 90 days.
If you don’t regularly check your filter, it reduces the airflow, leading to lukewarm temperatures and longer heating cycles. It also won’t block smaller particles and you’ll experience an increase in allergy symptoms or respiratory complications.
2. Gas Leaks Put Your Home at Serious Risk
The most dangerous situation concerning a gas furnace‘s indoor air quality comes when the system develops a leak. While gas furnaces have several advantages, they have increased safety risks.
Natural gas doesn’t have an innate smell, but East Windsor utility companies add an odor that resembles rotten eggs so homeowners can identify it. What should you do if you detect this scent?
- Exit the home immediately without using a light switch, phone or other electronic device.
- Call the utility company to shut off the gas supply.
- Schedule an emergency appointment with our technicians so they can provide prompt repairs.
3. Subpar Performance Could Affect Humidity Levels
Did you know that a furnace naturally provides air quality solutions by regulating your home’s humidity? Comfortable moisture levels should remain between 30% and 60%.
When humidity becomes excessive, it can warp your furniture, leave the home vulnerable to mold growth and cause respiratory distress and exhaustion. Low moisture can crack wood floors and furniture and create problems with dry skin and dehydration. Furnaces often develop this issue when they have a clogged drain line or don’t shut off when they reach the appropriate temperature.
Preventing Problems With a Building’s Indoor Air
How can an East Windsor homeowner prevent their furnace from negatively impacting their comfort or safety? They follow these reliable indoor air quality tips.
Prioritize Annual Maintenance for Your Heating System
Do you remember when you last scheduled maintenance for your furnace? If you’ve waited more than a year, you’re missing out on crucial benefits. In addition to keeping your air crisp and clean, a yearly check-up provides the following advantages to East Windsor homes:
- You’ll require fewer repairs, and the ones you need should have a lower average cost.
- Regular service helps the furnace last longer, so they don’t require early replacement.
- Homeowners who invest in regular maintenance spend less money on energy bills because the furnace runs more efficiently.
Clean Air Ducts at Least Every Three Years
A gas furnace’s indoor air quality isn’t the only thing that affects the comfort in your home. Dust can accumulate in your ducts in addition to your device’s filter.
In general, experts suggest you schedule air duct cleaning every three to five years. However, homes with pets that shed or that house people who smoke should have the service more often. Even if you’re diligent about replacing the filter, dirty ductwork negates any benefit and spreads the contaminants throughout the home.
Check the Air Filter Regularly
When it comes to changing your air filters, err on the side of caution. Set reminders on your calendar or phone for the frequency suggested by the manufacturer of the filter. Similar to your ducts, certain lifestyle choices may require you to change your filter more frequently than once a month.
Consider Air Quality Improvement Accessories
Ask our professionals about accessories that can improve indoor air quality. For example, a whole-home dehumidifier helps keep moisture in the home at optimal levels. Also, consider UV sanitizing lights.
Schedule Windsor Furnace Services Today
Do you need help maintaining your gas furnace’s indoor air quality? From replacing a furnace to finding the best filter for your needs, SM Mechanical Services provides every service a homeowner needs at competitive prices. We’re dedicated to your safety, comfort, and satisfaction.
To book an appointment, contact us today.