Your Furnace and Your Lungs: Why Air Quality Depends on Maintenance

When most people think of furnace tune-ups, they focus on energy efficiency and extending system life. However, regular furnace maintenance also plays a key role in improving your home’s indoor air quality. A well-maintained furnace helps reduce dust, allergens, and other contaminants, creating a healthier environment for your family. Here’s how:

Furnace tune-ups involve cleaning or replacing air filters, which trap dust, dirt, pet dander, and other particles. We recommend replacing or cleaning your filters every 1-3 months. Clean filters improve airflow and prevent pollutants from circulating throughout your home, ensuring better air quality.

Dust and debris can accumulate in your furnace and ducts. A tune-up includes cleaning the furnace’s components to remove these particles, preventing them from being released into your home’s air supply.

Moisture buildup in the furnace can lead to mold growth, which harms air quality. During a tune-up, technicians clean the condensate drain and ensure proper airflow to prevent mold, helping to keep the air fresh and clean.

A tune-up also checks the furnace’s ventilation system to ensure that air is flowing efficiently and preventing blockages. Proper ventilation helps maintain good air quality by preventing the buildup of harmful pollutants like carbon monoxide.

A cracked heat exchanger can cause dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. Furnace maintenance includes inspecting the heat exchanger to prevent leaks and ensuring the safety and health of your home.

If you suffer from allergies or asthma, a furnace tune-up can help reduce the spread of allergens like pet dander and pollen by cleaning the system and improving filtration.