Furnace Tips and Home Humidity

Starting Your Furnace

As the weather changes and temperatures drop, windows get closed up, and furnaces get turned on for the first time since the summer, there are a few things home and business owners need to consider to maintain indoor air quality. Furnace fans can kick up dust, pollutants, and even mold spores that have settled in furnaces unnoticed during the wetter months.

Here are a few tips to take into account when you’re starting your furnace for the first time:

• It’s important to schedule regular yearly maintenance for your furnace to check for rust, cracks, etc.  
• Make sure the area around your furnace is clean and clear and the airflow for the furnace is unobstructed.
• Check your carbon monoxide detector as oil and gas burning furnaces can produce carbon monoxide.
• Test your thermostat to make sure air is flowing freely throughout all areas of the house.  

Home Humidity

Another effect of colder temperatures and closed windows is the build-up of moisture and condensation in basements, attics, and living spaces.  This moisture can lead to mold in a matter of days if the high humidity goes unchecked.  

Here are a few pointers to help reduce humidity in your home:

• Know what to look for.  Foggy spots and condensation on the windows, a musty odour, or clammy feeling skin can all be signs of an overly humid home.
• Ventilate properly.
• Use fans in the kitchen, bathroom and any other room where you might be creating moisture.
• Crack a window if there are no fans.
• Ensure your fans vent to outside and not into another room or the attic.
• Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear and draining water as far from the building as possible.
• Use a dehumidifier to keep your indoor humidity between 25%-40% in the winter.

If you or your family members start to notice must, earthy odors, congestion, or difficulty breathing, you should have your home or office assessed for moisture levels, water damage, and mold contamination.

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