We all count on our furnaces to ensure we stay warm when temperatures drop. But have you ever thought about the quality of the air circulating through your furnace and back into your house all winter? Winter keeps more than people trapped inside; it keeps air trapped inside too. And that can be damaging to your indoor air quality.
Rest assured, it’s relatively easy to improve your indoor air quality. In fact, it involves very little effort from you. Answer these questions and upgrade your indoor quality:
Is your filter clean?
The first step to cleaner air is filtration. Furnace filters catch contaminants so they aren’t circulating through your home (and your lungs). A clean air filter can save you and your family members from aggravated allergies and other illnesses. Just checking your furnace filter once a month and changing it if it’s dark or dirty can keep your system operating more efficiently and keep your air cleaner.
Do you have the right filter?
If your filter is the incorrect size and/or thickness for your furnace, you could be damaging your indoor air quality and the efficiency of your furnace—despite your goal to do the opposite. If a filter is too small, it can let unfiltered air pass through. A filter that’s too big just won’t fit. Follow Goldilocks’ lead and find the one that’s just right to avoid these problems. Consult the furnace manufacturer’s manual to find the right size.
Are you using a high-quality filter?
You can find furnace filters that will do a basic job and offer you a fair level of filtration, and you can find higher-end filters that catch more contaminants. In general, spending a little more on a higher-quality filter will most likely pay you back, and give you greater energy efficiency and savings on energy bills.
One of our top priorities at Clean Air HVAC is keeping your air clean and comfortable. If you want to know more about how furnace filters affect your indoor air quality and which ones would be best for you, call us at 925-233-6238.