How a Faulty Furnace Can Impact Indoor Air Quality

How a Faulty Furnace Can Impact Indoor Air Quality
A furnace is essential for keeping your home comfortably warm during the cold months. Of course, when a furnace has problems, it can cause more than an inconvenience to your heating; it can also depress your indoor air quality (IAQ), negatively affecting health and comfort. This will help keep the dust in the house and maintain your indoor environment hygiene. Here’s why a faulty furnace can put your indoor air quality at risk — and what to do if it does.
Circulation of Dust and Allergens: If the air filter used by your furnace is blocked or has not been replaced, it cannot efficiently catch dust, pet dander, pollen , and other contaminants floating in the air. Rather, those contaminants are circulated back into your home. This can worsen allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions, creating an uncomfortable and unhealthy living space.
Solution: As a general rule, change or clean your furnace filter every 1-3 months—more frequently if it runs a lot (winters/warm seasons). An upgraded high-efficiency filter can also have a major impact on air quality.
Release of Harmful Gases: A broken furnace heat exchanger can allow harmful substances, including carbon monoxide (CO), to escape into your home. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and potentially deadly, threatening your family’s safety.
Solution: Arrange for a periodic furnace inspection and install carbon monoxide detectors in your house. If you suspect a leak, turn off your furnace right away and call a professional technician.
Mold Growth and Excess Humidity: Your furnace might not regulate humidity levels in your home due to a malfunction. If the air gets overly wet, however, it can create ideal conditions for mold and mildew to flourish, leading to musty smells and health problems such as allergies and respiratory infections.
Solution: Keep your furnace well maintained and add a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier as needed to keep moisture levels under control.
Inadequate Ventilation: A furnace that is not working correctly may not circulate air evenly through your home, leaving stale air in places. This can contribute to indoor air pollution and make the environment feel stifling and uncomfortable.
Solution: Make sure your furnace’s ducts are clear of blockages. Regular duct cleaning helps keep the airflow balanced and smooth.
Spread of Combustion Byproducts: If your furnace burns oil, gas, or wood for heating, there’s a risk of incomplete combustion and byproducts, like soot and nitrogen dioxide. Those particles and gases can irritate your lungs and harm indoor air quality.
Solution: Have a licensed technician service your furnace yearly to ensure efficient combustion and safe operation.
How Aire One East Can Help
At Aire One East, our furnace repair, maintenance, and installation services are about keeping your home as safe and comfortable as possible. Our trained technicians are experts in diagnosing and repairing furnace problems affecting indoor air quality so your furnace will run efficiently and safely.
Aire One East reason as to why you should choose us:
- Complete furnace inspection and tune-up
- Replacements for the air filter of excellent quality
- Air duct cleaning and sealing services
- Expert tips for making indoor air cleaner
Take Action Today
Don’t risk your family’s health and comfort because your furnace is broken. Regular maintenance can keep your furnace running smoothly, while prompt repairs can prevent indoor air quality problems. Schedule a furnace inspection today or visit Aire One East to discuss the indoor air quality.
Stay warm, safe, and breathe easy with Aire One East.