Utah is known for some pretty intense winter inversions. It is commonly thought that automobiles and large factories are the sources that create the wintertime smog but some forgotten residential sources include fireplaces, water heaters, furnaces and snow blowers. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality Air Quality has some tips to help winterize a person’s home and cut emissions. One is to stop burning wood when possible as it can contribute to up to 15 percent of the pollution during an inversion episode. Consider switching from a traditional wood-burning stove with a natural gas one. Be sure to insulate all important spots such as attics, basement, exterior walls, and crawlspace. Work to keep the draft out around windows and doors as they account for over 30% of a home’s heat loss. Maintain the furnace by switching filters on a regular basis. For more tips and tricks, visit www.deq.utah.gov.
