Summer has come and gone and Fall is upon us. Which means turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pies, and pumpkin spice lattes (pumpkin spice everything, really), and the everchanging of décor to welcome the end-of-year string of holidays. It's understandable that furnace maintenance is far from the first thing on most people's minds. But while home maintenance tasks can sometimes be a bit of a pain. Skipping furnace maintenance could potentially lead to the formation of cracks in your heat exchanger, something that should not be taken lightly. So not only does a furnace maintenance keeping it running efficiently but it could be the one thing that saves your life.
So Why Is A Cracked Heat Exchanger So Dangerous?
Gas furnaces naturally emit carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxide, and sulfur dioxide as byproducts of combustion. Your furnace utilizes built-in vents to usher these toxic gases outdoors and safely away from your home. However, if there is a crack in your heat exchanger, those gases can leak and be released into your home.
Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because it is tasteless, colorless and odorless, and breathing it can lead to sickness and even death. While all homes should have CO detectors, these devices do not stop the spread of this deadly gas; like a smoke detector, it only warns you of the gas’s presence.
Scheduling a yearly maintenance check-up on your furnace protects your family from the dangers of cracked heat exchangers and carbon monoxide poisoning. Your HVAC technician will ensure that there is adequate combustion in the burner so that CO cannot build up within your heat exchanger, and that your system’s ventilation is secure so toxic gases can’t harm your family. Keep your family safe, and contact a licensed professional to inspect your heating unit.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is not the only possible danger a cracked heat exchanger presents. If combustible gas builds up in your heating unit and is released into your home through a fracture, it can lead to a potentially deadly furnace fire. It is essential to make sure your unit is performing at the highest level possible to avoid an unpredictable blaze.
Furnace fires are not only threatening to your safety, but also extremely expensive to recover from. You may have to repair damage to your home or replace cherished possessions. Don’t take the risk! Be sure to schedule an annual maintenance check on your furnace.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, When winter temperatures plummet and home heating systems run for hours the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning increases.
Every year, at least 430 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning. Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency department each year due to accidental CO poisoning. There are steps you can take to help protect yourself and your household from CO poisoning.
CO is found in fumes produced by furnaces, kerosene heaters, vehicles “warmed up” in garages, stoves, lanterns, and gas ranges, portable generators, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing CO. Credit: CDC.gov
The key to being safe and cozy is having a maintenance done on your furnace and making sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector installed.
Opmerkingen