Three Ways ANY Furnace Can Be Dangerous
- Fire hazards. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating appliance fires have been the second...
- Dangerous Gas leaks. It's important to emphasize that natural gas isn’t harmful when it is installed and used correctly.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning. Most homeowners are not aware of the toxic effect carbon monoxide...
Why are furnaces dangerous to homeowners?
One of the reasons furnaces endanger homeowners is because it they’re suffering from neglect. Without regular attention, a furnace will start to breakdown and malfunction. Think about when you get sick – you you stopping working the way you usually do, and no one should be around you.
Are there dangerous furnaces in Calgary?
A furnace is a lifesaver during our harsh Calgary winters. But it can also be a danger under the wrong conditions. This is surprising to a lot of homeowners, but it’s true – the fact is, there are a lot of dangerous furnace facts! 1. Improper Installation is One of the Biggest Dangers
Can a furnace that needs replacing affect your health?
Here are a few ways that a furnace that needs replacing can affect your health: This furnace issue may be the most dangerous one of all. Take a look at your pilot light and observe its color. The color code is simple: blue is good, yellow is bad. A blue light means that the gasses working inside of your furnace are perfectly balanced.
Do gas furnaces have carbon monoxide poisoning risks?
Gas furnaces have a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if they’re not functioning properly, but having a detector installed can help you stay on top of risks. If your pilot light seems to go out often, make sure there aren’t any drafts preventing it from staying lit.
How likely is it for a furnace to explode?
The short answer is yes, it is possible for your furnace to explode. But it is highly unlikely especially with the build of modern furnaces, which include high safety standards to decrease the risk of an explosion.
Can the furnace explode?
The modern gas furnace is much safer than electric space heaters, and furnaces are built to high safety standards. Although it is possible for a gas furnace to either catch fire or explode, it's highly unlikely. If there is a danger of this happening, the furnace will usually simply shut off—as it's designed to.
Can a gas furnace be dangerous?
Gas Furnace Safety. If you have a gas furnace, it is important to know that it may produce some carbon monoxide that is released outside your home through the furnace's vent. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can cause flu-like symptoms, disorientation, confusion, and even death.
What makes a furnace unsafe?
The cracked heat exchanger This is the most likely reason that a furnace may become unsafe. The heat exchanger is the metal compartment in the furnace where hot combustion gas collects. The hot metal walls of the exchanger are what warm the air that enters the living spaces.
How do I know if my furnace is going to explode?
Noises such as popping, groaning, banging, or rattling that aren't normally produced by the furnace suggest its components are malfunctioning. In addition to the loud noise, if the blower is frequently turning on and off and blowing cool air into your home, there is a high possibility that your furnace is not working.
How often do furnaces catch fire?
The National Fire Protection Association says more than one in six home fires start from heating equipment, which is the second most common cause of a fire behind cooking. While most heating-related fires start from either space heaters or fire places, more than one out of every 10 starts with a central heating system.
What is the most dangerous heating system?
Space heaters (stationary or portable) are the most common of all heating equipment used. They are responsible for 40% of fires. In addition, they are the cause of about 86% of deaths, 78% of injuries and 54% of direct property damage.
Is a 40 year old furnace dangerous?
Are old furnaces dangerous? Unfortunately, yes. Since many old furnaces run on oil or gas, there's always the risk of their fuel catching fire or leaking into your home.
Can a furnace electrocute you?
Don't tamper with a thermostat that controls an electric baseboard heater; these usually carry full-strength household current and can deliver a fatal shock. Have the unit inspected by a heating technician or an electrician instead.
How do you tell if your furnace is giving off carbon monoxide?
Signs of a Furnace Carbon Monoxide LeakPilot Light Frequently Blowing Out.Fallen Soot in Fireplaces.Soot-Colored or Brown/Yellow-Colored Stains Around the Leaking Appliance.Solid Fuel Fires Burn Lower Than Normal.Smell of Gas (carbon monoxide is odorless, but a leakage may be accompanied by exhaust gases you can smell)More items...•
Can a furnace cause carbon monoxide poisoning?
When Your Furnace Kicks On, Be Sure Poison Gas Isn't Coming Out. Every winter when the temperature drops, your furnace can become a silent killer. Gas- and oil-burning furnaces produce carbon monoxide (CO). CO is an invisible, odorless, poison gas that kills hundreds every year and makes thousands more sick.
Are old furnaces safe?
Some of the dangers of an old furnace are: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Arguably the biggest danger of an old gas furnace is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can cause nausea and dizziness. Overexposure to this gas is deadly.
Three Ways ANY Furnace Can Be Dangerous
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating appliance fires have been the second leading cause of home fires, and nearly half of all home heating fires occurred during the three months of winter.
One Danger Of Old Furnaces
In one respect, modern energy efficient furnaces have one safety advantage over an older furnace.
Prevent Dangers With Your Home Heating System
There are 2 main ways you can prevent dangerous situations with your furnace.
Conclusion
Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s not safe, but you do need to be aware of certain things in order to prevent any issues. Whether your current furnace is old or new, keeping it well maintained has tremendous value. Longer lifespan, better air quality and most importantly, a safer home.
How often should I change my furnace air filter?
You can take a few additional steps to help improve your furnace’s safety during the winter. Make sure the area around it is clear for about a foot, and don’t store anything flammable (such as paint thinner) near the cabinet. Change the furnace air filter every 1 to 3 months to prevent overheating. Keep all room vents free of obstructions.
Do natural gas furnaces have safety features?
A contemporary natural gas furnace has a number of built-in safety features that will shut off gas flow in case of potentially hazardous malfunctions. Furnaces also have limit switches that will shut off the system in case of overheating.
Do you need a CO detector for a gas furnace?
Any home that uses natural gas, regardless of the appliance, must have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors placed around the various rooms. Most smoke alarm systems are also CO detectors. CO is a tasteless, odorless gas, so having a special system in place to detect it should it escapes from your furnace is an essential safety measure.
What causes a furnace to work harder?
Dirty or Clogged Filters: This issue reduces airflow and makes the furnace work harder to heat. In addition, if left long enough, an especially dirty or clogged filter could cause damage to the limit switch, which controls the fan.
How to prevent a furnace fire?
Don’t store anything flammable or combustible near or around your furnace to avoid a furnace fire. Keep the area around your furnace clean and unobstructed. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home, and check to make sure it’s working properly at least once a month during the winter season. Gas furnaces have a risk ...
How does a thermostat work on a gas furnace?
When you adjust the thermostat on your gas furnace, an ignitor activates the gas burners that create heat in a combustion chamber. This warm air is then distributed through the ductwork by blowers and thus heats your house.
Why does the limit switch on my furnace work?
Once activated, the limit switch cuts off the furnace gas supply in order to keep potential flames from spreading and lowers the risk of carbon monoxide from leaking into your home. The furnace will need to be reset by a professional to be used again.
Why is it important to service your furnace?
In order to enhance furnace safety and prevent furnace dangers during long-term use , it’s important to service your furnace regularly and pay attention to any strange, suspicious, or faulty sounds or functions. Fortunately, it’s pretty simple to keep on top of furnace maintenance and provide routine repairs to keep it running at its best.
What is a furnace safety switch?
Furnace Safety Switch: The furnace safety switch, also known as the limit switch, measures the temperature of the heat outside the combustion chamber. When the switch detects flames or temps that are too high, this could mean a fire hazard.
What happens when you activate your thermostat?
When you activate your electric system’s thermostat, you’re also activating banks of coils in your furnace’s cabinet that burn hot when air is flowing through them. The higher you crank your heat, the higher the number of heating elements that turn on.
What happens if my furnace isn't working?
If your furnace isn’t working efficiently, your electricity bills may skyrocket. An old, damaged, or inadequate furnace won’t be able to heat your home properly. This can lead to energy waste and heat loss, as well as an increase in cost.
What happens if your furnace is old?
If your furnace is old, or hasn’t been maintained properly, it could cause serious health problems for you and your family. By knowing the signs of a problem, you may be able to call a professional before the risk escalates.
What does a blue light on a furnace mean?
A blue light means that the gasses working inside of your furnace are perfectly balanced. A yellow pilot light is an indication that your furnace is malfunctioning and that these gases are no longer equal. Any yellow pilot light is a sign that carbon monoxide is leaking, which is dangerous or fatal for your family.
What does it mean when your furnace smells?
If you detect the smell after a use or two, you should contact a professional immediately. Strange odors are an indication that your furnace is not working properly , and could pose a safety hazard to your home and family. Gas and oil are highly flammable, so it’s best to get immediate assistance. By admin.
Why is my furnace not working?
If your furnace isn’t working properly, there’s a good chance that it may be affecting the air quality in your home. Frequent problems with breathing such as asthma and chest related illness, may increase. A heating system that is outdated or damaged can introduce an increase of dust, mold, and pathogens into your home.
Why do I need a new furnace?
If you notice that your electricity bill is significantly higher than it used to be, you may need a new furnace. The more money you save in utilities, the less stress you will have! Breathing Problems. If your furnace isn’t working properly, there’s a good chance that it may be affecting the air quality in your home.
When should I smell gas coming out of my furnace?
The only time you should ever be able to smell gas or oil coming from your furnace is when you turn it on for the first time of the season.
Maintenance is the best tool for gas furnace safety
If you want to lower the chance of a safety problem with your gas furnace to as close to zero as possible, always schedule professional maintenance for it each year, preferably in the fall before you begin using it the most. A key part of professional maintenance on a gas furnace is a safety inspection.
Never delay with repairs
When your furnace starts to malfunction, don’t try to “wait it out” or procrastinate because the weather is starting to warm up. A malfunctioning furnace can become dangerous, even if the problem outwardly doesn’t seem terrible. Always call our technicians promptly for furnace repair in Conyers, GA to ensure any malfunction doesn’t worsen.
Have carbon monoxide detectors in your rooms
If you use natural gas in any way in your house, you need several CO detectors in key locations to provide an early warning of a rise in carbon monoxide levels. You can leave your house before the levels become harmful and call the gas company to check on the problem.
Replace an over-the-hill furnace
Don’t try to push a gas furnace too far past its manufacturer’s estimated service life, even if it still seems to be working. The standard life expectancy for a gas furnace is 15 years. After this point, there’s a larger chance of corrosion and poor ventilation that will make the furnace unsafe.
How to keep a furnace safe?
Now that you know the facts, here are some furnace safety tips for your whole family to follow. 1. Have Annual Maintenance Done. Annual maintenance is an absolute necessity for a safe, high-efficiency furnace. In fact, many manufacturers require annual maintenance to keep the warranty valid.
Why do furnaces endanger homeowners?
One of the reasons furnaces endanger homeowners is because it they’re suffering from neglect. Without regular attention, a furnace will start to breakdown and malfunction. Think about when you get sick – you you stopping working the way you usually do, and no one should be around you.
What happens if you smell rotten eggs in your furnace?
With a gas furnace comes the risk that there could be a fire or an explosion if the gas leaks. This is exactly what happened to a home in Ontario; a gas explosion killed one man and damaged 40 other houses. A good indicator of a gas leak is when you smell rotten eggs while using your air conditioner or furnace.
Is it dangerous to install a furnace?
1. Improper Installation is One of the Biggest Dangers. Believe it – installing a furnace is actually more important than the furnace itself. You could have a state-of-the-art, top of the line furnace, but if it isn’t installed properly it can have deadly consequences.
Is a furnace dangerous?
A furnace is a lifesaver during our harsh Calgary winters. But it can also be a danger under the wrong conditions. This is surprising to a lot of homeowners, but it’s true – the fact is, there are a lot of dangerous furnace facts! 1. Improper Installation is One of the Biggest Dangers. Believe it – installing a furnace is actually more important ...
Why are old furnaces a fire hazard?
Old furnaces can become a fire hazard if they don’t receive proper ventilation. Make sure to keep any flammable materials away from the furnace to decrease the possibility of a fire.
Is an HVAC furnace safe?
Today’s HVAC furnaces are a true technological marvel. They’re sturdy, simple to operate, and considerably safer and more efficient than most older models. With a quality furnace, your HVAC system can work flawlessly for a long time without needing significant repairs.
