Fire hazards in ventilation can be a serious issue, and one of the main causes is a dirty air filter. Not only do they negatively affect the air quality in your home, but they can also inhibit the system's ability to function properly. In extreme cases, a clogged filter can be absorbed into the system, compromising airflow and creating a fire hazard. This can cause serious damage to your HVAC unit and home.
When the air filter is clogged, it blocks the airflow and causes your oven to work too hard. This is because oxygen is required for the furnace to burn natural gas in hot air. If there isn't enough oxygen passing through, it can cause “flame spread”, which is as scary as it sounds. The flames will come out of the oven cabinet to suck in more oxygen and can catch fire from nearby objects.
A layer of dust on the components of your HVAC system can also cause serious problems. Dust in the furnace combustion chamber is a fire hazard, and powder coating of metal coils can significantly impair efficiency. In addition, a filter that is heavily clogged can draw air back into the system and create suction that poses serious problems. Air purifiers rely on electricity to work and therefore risk catching fire if they are not maintained properly.
If you leave the filter on for too long, it may become so clogged that it is absorbed by the HVAC system, which can cause system failure and be a fire hazard. When your oven filter is clogged, airflow is blocked as dust and debris accumulate in the filter and duct system. This can cause too much hot air to remain in the oven, which can lead to a fire hazard. To prevent this from happening, it's important to change your air filters regularly and schedule annual oven tuning and duct cleaning.
