You and your family depend on your Furnace to keep your family warm during the cold winter, which is why furnace maintenance is so important. But have you ever thought about the type of impact your furnace may have on the air in your home that you breathe if it hasn’t been recently updated? During the cold season, furnace maintenance is vital when it comes to you and your family’s health.

Air pollution is a true risk that can put your family’s health in jeopardy. The average person inhales about 15,000 quarts of air per day. The EPA or Environmental Protection Agency has rated Indoor Air Pollution as one of the top 5 environmental risks affecting humans today. Indoor air pollution is two to five times greater than the worst outdoor pollution and because of this cases of childhood asthma are on the rise and 50 million Americans suffer from allergies.

Be Alert to Potential Dangers

Indoor air pollution is caused by many things including chemicals found in your carpeting, furniture, and even paint. Even basic dust and dirt brought in by pets, shoes or clothing can cause pollution. That is why it is so important to have a furnace repair before the winter season hits. Some of the biggest culprits invading your home right now could be:

• Pet Dander
• Dirt and dust
• Building materials
• Cleaning supplies
• Mold and mildew
• Tobacco smoke
• Carbon Monoxide
• Virus or bacterias

How RA Nichols Can Help You

RA Nichols is available all season so that your home is properly taken care of during the colder months. We care about our customers and when it comes to heating, we deliver nothing but high-quality service. At RA Nichols, we can help in multiple ways, including installations, repairs, maintenance, and more. We take the time to listen and answer any of your questions or concerns regarding heating services because to us, ensuring that your home receives great service is what we are all about. Customers are our top priority and we deliver valuable service with experienced and well-trained contractors. You will be able to trust RA Nichols to handle your heating system while saving more on your heating bill and reducing the risk of heating fires.

Your Furnace Plays a Role

During the cold season, the effects of allergies are at its greatest and the most dangerous time to suffer from indoor air pollution is in fact during the cold months of the year while your furnace is running. No matter how your heating service is or how efficient it might seem, odds are your furnace is collecting dust, debris, and allergens and releasing it into the air. While older furnaces obviously are to blame, newer models might also have an effect as well, which is why proper furnace maintenance is always important.

What’s Making It Worse?

First and foremost, dirty or wrong filters for your furnace could be increasing the indoor air pollution in your home. Be sure to update your filters ever three months to ensure that they are able to trap contamination that passes through your furnace system. The best furnace filters to use for great air quality are those with a tight weave and a MERV 8 rating. Humidity is also a factor if your older furnace is unable to maintain stable humidity levels within your home. This can cause a buildup of allergens in the air which leads to symptoms including coughing, wheezing, and congestion. If you notice you or someone in your family has dry skin, sore throats, or droopy plants and dried out furniture, be quick to install a humidifier in your home.

Carbon monoxide can be generated from a leaking furnace as well. That is why furnace maintenance is a must as well as a carbon monoxide detector. And if necessary, furnace repair and a new heating system installation can also help keep your family safe from the deadly effects of carbon monoxide. Lastly, dirty air ducts can also intensify the indoor air pollution in your home, so make sure to regularly clean your air duct to remove potential mold and bacteria in your home’s air.

Furnace Maintenance and Clearing the Air

• Of course, maintain your furnace with annual checks for clean coils and filters. Also, check for malfunctions and make sure to clean air ducts. Dirt, dust, and debris that gets caught in your air ducts can cause mold and allergen buildup. Keeping them clean can help eliminate a lot of the indoor air pollution affecting your home.
• Dust regularly because dust contains small particles that can cause cold and allergy symptoms. Open doors and windows to let fresh air into your rooms while also letting bad air escape.
• You can even plant an indoor herb garden if need be, which is effective in eliminating harmful air contaminants. Basil, thyme, and mint are great plants to use to help get rid of bad air in your home.

Contact RA Nichols today for immediate service so that we can take care of your home’s heating system through proper furnace maintenance!

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