Ideally, the quality of your indoor air solely depends on the condition of your heating unit. Thus, if your furnace isn't working correctly, the air in your home will have tons of contaminants. Unfortunately, poor air quality causes coughing, sneezing, dry skin, and headaches. However, you can remedy such issues by hiring an experienced furnace repair technician. Here are four ways a faulty furnace can contaminate the air in your home.
1. Toxic fumes
A clogged exhaust vent in your furnace means that fumes from the combustion process won't escape your residence. Instead, carbon monoxide will linger in the atmosphere and ruin the air quality. Carbon monoxide is odorless; thus, it can be difficult to detect its presence. This toxic gas is deadly when inhaled in high concentrations. Here are signs of carbon monoxide poisoning:
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
You can seek furnace repair services to have your unit inspected and repaired if you exhibit the above symptoms.
2. Dust and other particles
A faulty furnace might fail to trap dust and other particles in your residence. For instance, indoor air pollutants will dominate your space if the air filter isn't functioning as it should. Even worse, the contaminants can find their way into your ductwork. As a result, air from the vents will be of poor quality.
Dust and other allergens can cause severe allergies or asthma. Thankfully, a professional furnace repair technician can clean or change your air filters. Keep in mind that your air ducts might need a thorough cleaning to get rid of dirt, dust, and debris.
3. Poor humidity
During the cold season, the air tends to be overly dry. But, a functional furnace should maintain humidity levels in your indoor space. Therefore, if you find that the air is too dry in your home, your furnace may be malfunctioning. Typically, your throat and nose might become dry due to poor humidity. When that happens, schedule furnace repair services as soon as possible. Your technician will check if your ductwork is leaking and fix the issue.
4. Mold
Mold can find a home in your furnace and grow there. In such a case, when you ignite your furnace, a musty smell will emanate from the vents. Apart from the smell, you can determine if there's mold in your home if you exhibit the following symptoms:
• Stuffy nose
• Wheezing
• Itchy skin and eyes
At this point, air filters and ducts need to be inspected and cleaned by a furnace repair technician.
Ultimately, a faulty furnace can contaminate indoor air with dust, mold, toxic gases, and poor humidity. To prevent such instances, ensure that your unit is inspected and repaired by a knowledgeable technician.
Contact a furnace repair service for more information.