Causes and Dangers of Inadequate Combustion Air for Furnaces
Any Season HVAC • March 21, 2022
Combustion furnaces need air to work. The furnace's make, size, and fuel type determine the volume of air it needs for efficient combustion. The furnace's and your home's design determines the combustion air available for the furnace. Inadequate combustion air leads to incomplete combustion with grave consequences.
Read on to discover the reasons and dangers of inadequate combustion air.
Causes
Anything that restricts the air available to the furnace can lead to inadequate combustion air. Some of the causes include the following.
Inadequate Intake Openings
Combustion furnaces can take air from outside or inside the house. For outside air intake, the design features intake openings that run outside the house to the furnace. The size and number of intake openings determine the air volume they carry. Inadequate combustion air ensues if the intakes are too small to carry the air volume the furnace requires.
Air Intake Blockage
Your furnace's air intake will be adequate as long as a professional HVAC contractor designs and installs your system. However, even an adequate system might become inadequate with time if something blocks the air intake. Debris, home modifications, and household objects can all block the openings.
Confined Installation
Furnaces that use indoor air need adequate space for efficient air circulation. For example, a furnace in a confined utility room without windows might not get adequate air, especially if you close the utility room's door.
Tight Building
Even for furnaces that use indoor air, the air must still come into the house via various openings. Air may flow into the house naturally or with mechanical ventilation. Buildings with tight envelopes require mechanical ventilation. Otherwise, the indoor air might not sustain the furnace.
Multiple Combustion Appliances
All combustion appliances need air to run. Multiple combustion appliances will compete for air if they all use indoor air. If you have a furnace, water heater, and fireplace, the indoor air might not sustain all the appliances.
Dangers
Inadequate combustion air is a serious problem with multiple effects. Some of the effects include the following.
Inadequate Heating
The furnace burns a mixture of air and fuel to generate heat. The right air-fuel mixture is necessary for the furnace to operate normally. Otherwise, the heat production reduces, and the furnace struggles to maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the house.
Energy Inefficiency
The right air-fuel mixture is necessary to burn all the fuel that the furnace draws. Inadequate combustion air leaves partially burnt fuel in the exhaust gases. Exhausting partially burnt fuel wastes fuel since the furnace must draw more to generate the heat it needs to heat your house. You might experience increased energy bills without a corresponding use of energy.
Carbon Monoxide Risk
Complete fuel combustion generates carbon dioxide (CO) as one of the major combustion byproducts. Incomplete combustion increases carbon monoxide (CO) generation. Some of the CO might leak and circulate in your house. Unfortunately, CO is a poisonous gas with multiple health consequences for animals and people.
System Damage
Lastly, inadequate combustion air forces the furnace to overwork to meet your heating demands. The furnace’s wear and tear increases if it overworks. Various parts of the furnace, such as the motor, thermocouple, and fan, might break down frequently due to the increased runtime. The frequent breakdowns will increase your furnace's running costs and shorten its lifespan.
Contact Any Season Heating & Air Conditioning if you suspect incomplete furnace combustion. The telltale signs include yellowish flame, excessive condensation, and increased soot production. We have over 25 years of experience in the HVAC industry. We also have a 24/7 emergency service to ensure you are never without heat irrespective of the time of the day.
Learn the top 10 A/C maintenance tips to ensure your air conditioner operates efficiently throughout the summer.
Learn how proper duct sealing keeps your home cooler, saves you money, and improves your air conditioning system’s performance.
Learn helpful tips to keep your home’s air conditioning system running smoothly throughout the summer.
Learn five important facts about the emergency air conditioning repair process to help you make informed decisions.
Learn seven common signs you need to replace your AC unit and how to increase its lifespan.
Learn eight important spring maintenance tips to ensure your HVAC system is fully prepared for the summer heat.
Any Season Heating & Air Conditioning Specializes in  Emergency Furnace Repair
What To Expect During Your Furnace Replacement
Prepare Your Furnace For Winter!
Winter is approaching soon and you know what that means - high heating bills. While staying warm is essential during the chilly months, it doesn't have to come at the cost of skyrocketing utility bills. With a few simple strategies and maintenance tips, you can keep your home cozy without breaking the bank. Our professional technicians at Any Season HVAC have over 25 years of experience and have picked up on many tips on how to save money during the cold winters! 1. Regular Furnace Maintenance One of the most critical steps to ensure your furnace operates efficiently and economically is to schedule regular maintenance. An annual check-up by a professional technician can identify and address any issues, such as clogged filters or worn-out parts, before they lead to higher energy consumption and costly repairs. 2. Replace Air Filters A clean air filter is essential for efficient furnace operation. Dirty or clogged filters restrict airflow, causing your furnace to work harder and use more energy to maintain your desired temperature. Check and replace your furnace filters regularly, typically every one to three months, depending on the filter type and usage. If they’re running less, you’ll be saving much more money. 3. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat Investing in a programmable thermostat can significantly reduce your heating costs. These smart devices allow you to set different temperatures for various times of the day, automatically lowering the heat when you're away or sleeping and raising it when you're home and awake. This can result in substantial energy savings over time. 4. Seal Air Leaks Drafts and air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings can let cold air in and warm air out, making your furnace work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. Inspect your home for any gaps and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping. Additionally, consider adding insulation to your attic and walls to further improve energy efficiency. 5. Utilize Zone Heating Instead of heating your entire home uniformly, consider using zone heating. This involves heating only the rooms you use most frequently, like the living room and bedrooms, while keeping unused areas cooler. Space heaters or ductless mini-split systems can help you achieve this and reduce your overall heating costs. 6. Maximize Natural Sunlight During the day, open curtains and blinds to let natural sunlight in. Sunlight can naturally warm your home, reducing the need for your furnace to work overtime. Just remember to close them at night to retain as much heat as possible. 7. Lower the Thermostat at Night Lowering your thermostat a few degrees when you go to sleep can lead to substantial savings. You can compensate by using extra blankets or wearing warmer pajamas. A programmable thermostat makes it easy to automate this temperature adjustment. 8. Keep Furniture and Drapes Away from Vents Ensure that furniture, rugs, and drapes do not obstruct heating vents or radiators. Blocking these sources of heat can reduce their efficiency and force your furnace to work harder. Not only that, but it is also a fire hazard to have objects close to hot vents. Lowering your heating bills during the winter doesn't mean sacrificing comfort. By implementing these tips and making a few adjustments to your heating habits, you can stay cozy while saving on energy costs. Remember that a well-maintained furnace and a well-insulated home are your allies in achieving both warmth and savings. Take these steps, and you'll not only enjoy a comfortable winter but also a lighter load on your wallet. Our experts at Any Season Heating & Air Conditioning can help give you advice on which system to go with to help save you money. Heating and cooling gets expensive during winter and summer so do what you can to avoid those bills. Contact us today to get more info on your furnace. We serve all of the Chicagoland area in towns such as Mokena , Palos Park , Palos Heights , Frankfort , Lockport , and more!
