Tips to Avoiding Sickness This Winter

We’re in the middle of winter, and that means it is that time of the year where all of the windows are shut tight, doors are kept shut, and the furnace is running constantly. While there are increased utility costs associated with consistently running the furnace throughout the winter, other costs associated with the cold winter months – like an annual visit to the doctor – could be avoidable with a few simple steps and some preventative maintenance to your home heating system. For some more information on preventative maintenance, see our blog about it here.

All of the air that is being pumped throughout your home is run through the furnace. This means a dirty filter can cause a bunch of problems for the health of your family. As the filter gets clogged up some small particles can slip through the filter fibers and potentially cause an illness if that filter is not changed. The longer a filter goes unchanged, the more of a liability it is to filter out those particles that can be harmful to your family.

Another thing a clogged or dirty filter can cause is a reduced airflow. This is significant for a number of reasons. First, you won’t have enough air circulating throughout your home to heat it efficiently. This will cause your utility costs to go up. Second, without that air flow, that can cause components of the furnace to overheat, and this can cause different elements to break down. One of these components is your heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger doesn’t have a regular air flow keeping it cooled down, it can crack. Cracks in the heat exchanger are no laughing matter, and they require replacement right away. The cracks can release harmful gases into your home, including carbon monoxide.

Air ventilation is important to keep your home toxin free. Having an air intake with your heating system is important to keep fresh air circulating. If you don’t have a fresh air intake though, running ceiling fans and keeping your ducts free of obstruction is important to keep any bacteria from settling around the home.

Another solution to limiting sickness in the home is to try and keep it as clean and tidy as possible. Yes we understand that, especially with small children or pets’, keeping a clean home is difficult. But, vacuuming or sweeping on a consistent basis is a great way for your furnace to keep clear of extra debris. If there is less room for bacteria to roam, there will be less sickness in your home. A few extra minutes a day spent cleaning could go such a long way in the overall cleanliness of your home.

This is just a few tips to help prevent sickness in your home through your HVAC system. If you have any issues with your current HVAC system and need a part, feel free to give us a call at (866) 215-3831. We are happy to help out, and we have technical support available as well.