Can A Clean Furnace Prevent COVID-19? | Fischer Plumbing

The answer is yes. We still don’t know a lot about COVID-19, however, it has been established that the coronavirus is highly contagious and transmitted via air. HVAC systems might be spreading airborne infections by dispersing viral particles in the air. A preventive measure you can take is to get your furnace cleaned by professionals to avoid further spread.

Schedule your furnace service in Seattle with Fischer Plumbing today.

Why Is Furnace Maintenance Important?

As your furnace heats your home or business, it ends up taking in a lot of dirt and dust. In fact, a furnace is a magnet for dirt, dust,  debris, and other harmful bacteria. If your furnace is not clean, all this is then distributed around your property.

This can cause a variety of health problems including the coronavirus. You may also find yourself more prone to colds and other viruses and germs because these viruses aren’t cleaned from the air ducts. This can be especially troublesome for immunocompromised people or those who suffer from asthma, allergies, or breathing disorders. These particles can inflame lungs that are already sensitive to the environment and trigger an asthma or allergy attack.

An unclean furnace decreases indoor air quality which can harm you even if you don’t have allergies or health problems. Aside from health problems, neglecting furnace cleaning can affect its performance. This means your furnace will be working even harder to heat up the place but the heat won’t be even or powerful which will only result in high electricity costs.

Avoid this unnecessary hassle by scheduling annual furnace maintenance with us to keep things running smoothly while keeping you healthy.

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have said the virus spreads either by inhaling respiratory droplets or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose, or mouth. They have also said that aerosol transmissions are possible. Unfortunately, HVAC systems create air currents likely to carry large viral particles even further aiding the COVID-19 spread.

Does a Furnace or Air Purifier Filter The Air?

Furnaces filter pollutants or contaminants out of the air when they are clean. These air filtration systems help reduce airborne contaminants. Portable air cleaners, or air purifiers, can also be helpful if additional ventilation is not possible without compromising indoor comfort.

For Homes

Air purifiers filter the air in a single room or area. Central furnaces filter the air throughout a home. Together, if they are clean and running at their best, they can reduce airborne viruses. That said, they are unfortunately not enough to protect people from COVID-19. When used along with other best practices, filtration can be part of a plan to protect people indoors.

For Public Spaces

The furnace of a large building usually filters the air before distributing it. It is wise to upgrade filters as needed for your specific building. The variety and complexity of HVAC systems in large buildings require professional help. Each building usually has strict local guidelines it must comply with.

Air purifiers supplement furnace ventilation and filtration. Directing the airflow so that it doesn’t blow from one person to another reduces the potential spread of droplets that may contain infectious viruses. Air cleaning alone cannot ensure adequate indoor air quality, especially when significant pollutant sources are already present and ventilation is insufficient.

What Other Preventive Measures Can I Take To Improve My Indoor Air Quality?

Reconfiguring HVAC systems to increase the exchange rate is a start. This brings in more fresh air and reduces the amount of recirculated air that may be carrying viral particles. Older HVAC systems may need more complex and expensive changes like upgrading motors for more control over airflow.

Using air filters may help remove small and large virus particles. However, a coronavirus particle is especially small and there’s no guarantee a HEPA filter would stop it. A UVC light is a germicidal lamp that kills microorganisms that affect indoor air quality like coronavirus. Certain versions of these lamps can unfortunately damage the skin or eyes so they must be used with caution and picked with care.

When To Clean Your Furnace

Now that you understand why furnace cleaning is important, you’re probably curious about the best times to clean your furnace. You’re likely also paranoid about the coronavirus and want to be proactive in preventing it from making its way into your home or business.

Unlike other maintenance tasks, furnaces don’t require weekly or monthly cleanings. We normally recommend getting your furnace cleaned twice a year, before and after the winter. Cleaning your furnace after winter is essential to get rid of everything that has built up over the season. During these unprecedented times, we recommend an extra cleaning with us to be even safer.

During cleaning, we’ll offer tips on how to keep your furnace running in peak condition. We’ll also be able to see if there are any major repairs you need to make and schedule them in advance of the following winter.

Protect Yourself With A Clean Furnace

As economies worldwide reopen, healthcare officials have good reason to fear a second wave of COVID-19. Special attention including changes to ventilation systems, air purification systems, and airflow management will likely be the focus of their work in this area. Stay ahead of the curve and use our furnace cleaning services today.

Regular furnace maintenance can save you tons of money and time. And it also helps keep you a little bit safer from the dangers of the coronavirus. Work with a reputable HVAC company in Seattle like Fischer Plumbing for all your furnace needs. Contact us for an estimate for your clean furnace today.