What does a furnace filter have to do with a headache?

By Heather

I’ve blogged before about shopping for a new furnace, safely using space heaters and even that you should change your furnace filter regularly. But the one missing piece was this:

When you get a new furnace, burn-off from coatings is common, making the first few runs a little stinky.

Our new furnace was installed in the spring. At the time, we turned it on a few times as directed to blast out the weird odor. Then it sat through the warm spring and autumn before we needed to turn it on again.

In November, when we cranked it back on (using a programmable thermostat, of course!), I thought I could go a little longer before replacing the filter. In fact, the opposite was probably true.

That’s when the headaches started. Every morning I woke up with a headache.

I couldn’t figure out the cause but I came up with many theories: dust, dehydration, drywall from overseas, heat, cold, old pillows.

Then we replaced the filter.

And all was right with the world.

Seriously, I could tell from the first morning that it was better.

So, do yourself a favor and make sure to change those furnace air filters every 90 days! Some thermostats will help you remember.