Can a Broken Furnace Contaminate the Air in Your Home?
If you've ever had a broken furnace, you know how frustrating it can be. Not only is it difficult to keep your home warm, but you also have to worry about the air quality in your home.
A broken furnace can contaminate the air in your home with a wide variety of pollutants, including carbon monoxide. If you're concerned that your furnace may be breaking down, call a professional to come to take a look. They can help you get it up and running again in no time!
We recently wrote a post on can a broken furnace contaminate the air in your home to help our customers/clients learn more about broken furnaces and their impact on air quality. Some of the topics that were covered were the causes of furnace failure, the impact of broken furnaces on the quality of air, and how air filters affect the air quality, as well as how they can be prevented.
Signs that Indicate a Furnace is Broken
There are a few signs that might mean a furnace may be broken and release contaminants into the air. If you observe any of these signs, it's important to contact a professional for repairs:
- Strange noises coming from the furnace
- Decreased airflow from the furnace vents
- Higher than normal energy bills
- Frequent pilot light outages
- Discolored flames from the furnace
What Can Cause a Furnace to Break
The leading reason for a furnace to break is that it wasn't maintained properly. Like any mechanical device, a furnace needs regular tune-ups to keep it running properly. When a furnace isn't serviced on a regular basis, the parts can start to wear out and break down.
Another common cause of furnace problems is dirty filters. The air filters in your furnace are there to trap dirt, dust, and other contaminants before they can enter the air circulation system. However, over time, the filters can become blocked with debris. If you have a gas furnace, then another potential problem is a gas leak.
How Broken Furnace Affect the Air Quality in Your Home
Your home can suffer greatly from a broken furnace, especially if it affects the air you breathe. When a furnace breaks down, it can release harmful particles into the air that can contaminate your indoor air quality.
These particles can include dust, dirt, pollen, mold spores, and other allergens that can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. Additionally, a broken furnace can release carbon monoxide into your home, which is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly if inhaled.
How Air Filter Impacts Air Quality
Most people know that a dirty air filter will make your furnace work harder, but few are aware of just how much it impacts the quality of your indoor air. A clean air filter can help remove dust, pollen, and other allergens from the air in your home.
Furthermore, it can help prevent mold spores and other contaminants from circulating through your home. If you have allergies or respiratory problems, changing your furnace filter regularly can help improve your indoor air quality and potentially reduce your symptoms.
What You Can Do if your Furnace Breaks
Fortunately, there are some helpful actions you can take in order to prevent a broken furnace from contaminating the air in your home. First, make sure to change your furnace filter regularly to help trap dust and other allergens.
Additionally, you can install an air purifier in your home to help remove contaminants from the air. Finally, be sure to have your furnace regularly serviced by a qualified technician to help prevent it from breaking down. Following these steps, you can assure that the air in your home is clean and safe to breathe.
To learn more about how broken furnaces contaminate the air in your home, make sure to follow us on social media and check out our blog at https://lynnswinnipeg.ca/blog/, where we talk about how and when to replace your furnace and how to prevent your furnace from breaking.
