Modern HVAC systems are extremely efficient and effective at maintaining our comfort, partially due to the fact that they operate on a closed loop. But while the benefits of a closed-loop heating and cooling system are substantial, it’s not all perfect.

Because our homes are closed off and well sealed, your space can become inundated with common air pollutants, allergens, and viruses, many times more so than that of outdoor air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This situation can have significant implications for our health. Prolonged exposure to indoor air pollutants can exacerbate allergies, respiratory issues, and even lead to more severe health problems. Additionally, concerns about indoor air quality have become even more pressing with the heightened focus on airborne viruses.

Proper ventilation, air purification systems, and regular maintenance of HVAC systems have emerged as essential practices to mitigate these risks and ensure a healthier indoor environment. If you think that your heater could be making you sick, you can maintain clean and safe indoor air for your family by taking the right measures with your HVAC system.

Why Is It Hard to Get Fresh Air in a Modern Home?

Our homes are well-insulated and air-sealed, and our HVAC systems generally run on a closed loop that simply circulates the air already present in our homes. All of this together means that we stay quite comfortable and that our energy or fuel costs are lower, but it also means that air pollutants can get in but rarely get displaced or go out.

This can contribute to many symptoms that a heat pump, furnace, or forced-air system may cause, including:

• Headaches
• Allergies
• Flu-Like Symptoms
• Lightheadedness

Because of these things, monitoring and maintaining your indoor air quality is a huge deal. There are, fortunately, many ways to accomplish this, and many homeowners never deal with any detrimental health issues due to the state of their HVAC system.

Can Heat Pumps Make You Sick?

As with any other HVAC system, heat pumps don’t exactly make you sick. However, it’s crucial to understand that the system itself can have an impact on your health. HVAC systems, including heat pumps, maintain the indoor environment, and how they do so can impact your well-being. Various factors like air quality, humidity levels, and the presence of allergens or pollutants in your home’s air all contribute to your overall health.

Understanding how these elements interplay with your HVAC system is vital to ensuring a comfortable and health-conscious living space.

Additionally, heat pumps can emit carbon monoxide, which poses a huge risk to your health and safety. Like any heating system that uses gas, a hybrid heat pump with gas can produce carbon monoxide.

That’s why it’s very important to regularly change the air filter and perform routine maintenance. It’s also a good idea to have carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Gas is a great way to heat your home, but you have to be careful with it.

Can Not Changing an Air Filter Make You Sick?

The air filter in your heat pump is responsible for catching dust, mold spores, dust mites, pollen, and a slew of other allergens. If the air filter isn’t replaced regularly, it will eventually become bogged down with these pollutants, which will then be blown throughout the home.

This is why changing your air filter is so important. It’s a simple task, and when done regularly, you will be avoiding one of the most common contributors to illness that can be attributed to a heat pump or HVAC system.

Why Is Regular Heat Pump Maintenance Important?

Heat pumps and other HVAC equipment are significant investments, which is why you need to keep them in good condition so you can get the most out of them. Regular maintenance on your heat pump will ensure that it is working properly, running efficiently, and lasting a long time.

If you don’t tune up your heating unit, it may break down earlier than expected and become filthy, leading to poor air quality. Routine heating maintenance service removes these risks, substantially boosting your air quality.

Avoid Heater Sickness and Tune Up Your HVAC System

At GAC Services, we’ve been providing comprehensive heat pump maintenance services and more for decades. We have the skills and knowledge needed to ensure that your heat pump moves cleaner air, providing a healthy and safe living environment for you and your family.

Contact us online or call us at (301) 205-5082 to find out more about the advantages of our Prime Maintenance Membership. Schedule an appointment with us today, and let us know if you are having any issues with your heat pump in Gaithersburg, Maryland.