At AirGreen, we understand how critical healthy indoor air is for households across Greater Montréal. When it comes to heating, homeowners often face two options: space heaters or central heating. But which of these two systems is more likely to degrade your indoor air quality? Spoiler: the answer might surprise you.
Understanding the Basics: What Is a Space Heater vs Central Heating?
Before diving into their effects on indoor air quality, it’s important to clearly distinguish between these two types of systems.
Space Heaters
These are small units used occasionally to heat a specific room. We’re talking about portable electric radiators, gas stoves, kerosene heaters, and even wood-burning fireplaces.
Central Heating
This system is integrated throughout the entire home. It includes a central heat pump, an electric furnace, a forced-air system, or a hydronic heating system (hot water). Heat is distributed through ductwork or radiators and managed from a central location.
Why Does Indoor Air Get Affected by the Type of Heating System?
According to Health Canada, Canadians spend 90% of their time indoors. The type of heating system you use can impact the concentration of airborne pollutants, such as VOCs (volatile organic compounds), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, fine particles, mold, and allergens.
At AirGreen, we’ve seen these effects firsthand through hundreds of HVAC installations and service calls in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, as well as the North Shore and South Shore.
Space Heaters: An Underestimated Threat to Your Air Quality
Combustion and Direct Pollution
Some space heaters—especially those powered by propane gas, kerosene, or wood—work through direct combustion, which releases pollutants straight into the room if the unit isn’t properly ventilated. These include:
-
Carbon monoxide (CO): colorless, odorless, and potentially fatal at high levels.
-
Fine particles (PM2.5): can deeply penetrate the respiratory system.
-
Nitrogen oxides (NOx): irritating to airways, especially for children and those with asthma.
At a client’s home in Saint-Jérôme, North Shore, we were called in to evaluate recurring headaches. The cause? A gas stove being used without adequate ventilation. After installing a 24,000 BTU central Gree heat pump, the symptoms disappeared.
Dust and Allergens
Electric space heaters can cause strong convection, stirring up dust and allergens in the air. Also, localized overheating can dry out the air, irritating the respiratory system.
Central Heating: A Healthier Solution (When Properly Maintained)
A well-designed and well-maintained central heating system can actually improve indoor air quality.
Effective Air Filtration
Forced-air systems (with furnaces or central heat pumps) can be equipped with HEPA filters, UV lamps, or advanced air purification systems (such as Lennox or Bosch IDS Premium R-454b units). These filter out:
-
Fine dust
-
Pet dander
-
Mold
-
Pollen
In a Longueuil household, we recently replaced an old oil system with a central Bosch BIVA IDS Premium system, paired with a Lennox PureAir purification unit. The result: cleaner, more stable air with controlled humidity.
Thermal Balance and Humidity
Central systems distribute heat more evenly, reducing hot/cold zones that can lead to condensation or excessive dryness. A central humidifier can also be integrated.
But Be Careful: A Faulty Central System Can Also Pollute
Central heating isn’t free from risks. It can become a source of contamination if:
-
Ducts are clogged.
-
Air filters aren’t replaced regularly.
-
The unit isn’t properly maintained.
That’s why AirGreen offers full HVAC maintenance services across the South Shore and North Shore, including duct cleaning, filter washing, and UV disinfection systems.
Final Comparison: Space Heaters vs Central Heating
| Criteria | Space Heaters | Central Heating |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor pollution | High (CO, NOx, PM2.5) | Low if properly maintained |
| Air filtration quality | None to minimal | High with filters and purifiers |
| Heat distribution | Uneven | Even |
| Indoor humidity | Very dry air | Controllable with a humidifier |
| Safety | Risk of CO / fire | Safe if installed and maintained properly |
AirGreen’s Tips for Healthier Indoor Air
-
Avoid combustion heaters without proper ventilation.
-
Opt for a central heat pump with integrated filtration.
-
Have your HVAC systems serviced annually.
-
Replace filters every 3 months (more often for allergy sufferers).
-
Have your ventilation ducts inspected every 3 to 5 years.
AirGreen’s Expertise at the Service of Your Comfort
In Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and South Shore, AirGreen installs, maintains, and optimizes your central heating systems to ensure superior indoor air quality.
We’ve replaced outdated space heaters in century-old homes in Montréal-Ouest, modernized HVAC systems in Laval-des-Rapides, and installed Fujitsu KZAH R-32 central heat pumps in condos in Brossard—always with a strong focus on air quality and occupant safety.
Why Trust AirGreen?
-
Certified technicians trained in best ventilation practices.
-
Fast service across Greater Montréal.
-
Energy-efficient products eligible for LogisVert grants.
-
Full HVAC maintenance including cleaning, filter replacement, and disinfection.
Conclusion: Choose the Healthier, More Sustainable Option
The verdict is clear: central heating, when properly designed and maintained, pollutes indoor air far less than space heaters. To protect your health, your children’s well-being, and the long-term integrity of your home, trust AirGreen for all your HVAC installations, from Montréal to the South Shore, including Laval and the North Shore.