You turn on the furnace for the first time this fall and suddenly the house feels different.
Maybe you're waking up congested, experiencing headaches, noticing more coughing or irritation, or simply feeling like the air inside your home isn't as fresh as it should be. Sometimes, the furnace itself is responsible. Other times, turning on the heat simply changes how air, moisture, dust, and other contaminants move throughout your home.
If you start feeling unwell after turning on your furnace, your indoor air quality may be worth investigating.
If you are noticing a consistent pattern of not feeling well when your heating system is running, it's worth paying attention to what's happening inside the building.
Some common signs you should watch out for are:
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A musty or unusual smell when the furnace runs
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Dust returning quickly after cleaning
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Dry or irritated eyes, nose, or throat
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Noticeable elevated humidity and condensation buildup
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A furnace filter that becomes dirty very quickly
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Visible dust buildup around registers and vents
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Rooms that feel unusually dry or stuffy
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Issues following a renovation, water leak, or other moisture event
Finding and fixing sources of unhealthy indoor air for 17+ years
Your furnace moves more than just heat!
During heating season in Saskatchewan, your furnace can run for hours each day. As it circulates air throughout the house, it can also move dust, particles, odours, and other contaminants that are already present.
Things such as dirty or overdue air filters, poor ventilation, dust accumulation, changes in humidity, and the recirculation of existing contaminants, like mold spores for example, can all contribute to the changes you may be noticing in the air of your home.
If you're noticing consistent issues with your indoor air, or problems keep coming back, there may be a larger concern within the building where the source needs to be identified and fixed.
Persistent indoor air quality concerns may be connected to:
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Underlaying moisture problems
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Hidden water damage
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Mold growth
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Inadequate ventilation
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Other contaminants within the building
Finding the source of the issue can help you make a better decision about what needs to be done.
At got mold?™, our approach is to look at the building as a whole to find the source of the problem. Our team of expert indoor air quality specialists will:
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From the initial assessment to testing and remediation work, our goal is to help you understand what is happening inside your home and what can be done about it.
While your furnace may not be entirely responsible for why you're feeling sick, turning it on changes airflow, temperatures, and humidity inside your home.
It can also redistribute dust and other particles or contaminates that may already be present in more hidden areas.
How often you change your furnace filter depends on your furance, the type of filter, your household, and how much particulate matter is present in your home.
Check your filter regularly and follow the manufacturer's recommendations, which is typically every 3 months. If your filter is becoming heavily loaded with dust unusually quickly, it may be worth investigating your indoor air.
Yes,when there isn't enough fresh air exchange, moisture and other indoor air contaminants can accumulate inside your home.
This can become particularly noticeable during the fall and winter months, when homes are sealed up tightly to keep the heat in.
Indoor air quality issues can sometimes be associated with irritation or discomfort, such as a stuffy nose, dry or irritated eyes, throat irritation, coughing, sneezing, headaches, and allergy-like symptoms.
People with compromised immune systems or pre-existing mold allergies will be more sensitive to issues related to indoor air quality.
If you notice that certain symptoms or irritations improve when you're away from your home, but return after spending time indoors, it may be worth contacting our team of indoor air quality specialists to determine whether indoor air contaminants, such as mold spores, dust, or other bacteria are present.
As assessment can help you better identify the source of the problem to find the right solution.
Always start by checking on the basics, such as the furnace filter and accessible areas around your HVAC and heating system for moisture related issues.
If the odours are persistent, it's worth calling an indoor air quality specialist to do a full inspection for water related damage and suspected mold growth.
A musty smell can have several potential sources, so identifying the source is important before deciding your next steps.
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