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Heating & Air Conditioning Home Repair

Air furnace in attic issue

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I’m a soon to be home owner. We had an inspection done and one potentially significant issue was identified in the attic. There place where the filter goes has been open to the elements since the construction (2007) of this house and there’s pink fiberglass insulation everywhere. I’m still feeling it in my chest a bit (no mask) so it’s definitely airborne up there. There is no cover to fix this so several solutions were proposed.

But Heres the question. we have to small kids and I need to know cold hard facts. Do you think the furnace in the attic has been sucking and pushing fiberglass throughout the house? The inspector noted that this may be a potential issue and to close it up right away. Here’s a pic.

Thank you

Featured Answer

kevinande

4 years ago

IMO, have the sellers replace the filter housing or get some cash off the sales price so you can repair it properly. No sense in going into a new purchase with potential issues. It has been identified as a potential problem (which is why you hired the inspector) now is the time to address it. Some sealant tape may work fine, but I would not want to hack it.

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Comments (6)

sktn77a
4 years ago
No pic. But you don't want fiberglass particles blowing around in your house. Not a serious health hazard short term, but get it fixed as soon as you can.
Mean Gene
Original Author
4 years ago
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weedmeister
4 years ago
What I'm about to say may be complete BS, so take it for what it is worth.

When the blower is on, the filter will get sucked against the blower housing, thereby filtering the air that goes into your house. There are little spring things in the filter slot that push it out, but I doubt the leakage around the filter would be that bad, The loss here is that you will also be pulling in unconditioned air from the hot attic.

Normally, there should be a steel plate that goes over this slot. It may be lying around the attic somewhere.
Mean Gene
Original Author
4 years ago
That’s my concern. has this entry into the system led to a chronic (12 years) exposure and transmission of fiber glass particles through the ducts into all the rooms. Is this a danger to all of us?
sktn77a
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I've seen much worse! Get some proper duct sealing tape (not "Duck Tape") and seal up the hole where the flexduct exist the plenum. Figure out a way to seal the filter gap somehow (strip of metal). I don't think it constitutes a serious or immediate health hazard.

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