Although home heating systems truly are built to last, keeping an older, outdated system in use not only costs a homeowner more in the long-run, but it can also become a major safety hazard as well.
Among the many risks associated with using an older, outdated furnace, almost all of them are magnified if a unit isn’t properly maintained over time.
To help you identify some of the hidden dangers of an old furnace and know the warning signs to keep an eye out for, our technicians at Fairfield-Hamilton Heating & Cooling put together the following:
Top 3 Dangers of Old Heating Equipment
Fire Hazards
Heating equipment and furnaces are designed to safely heat our homes during the cold months of the year. And while these systems have built-in safety mechanisms to prevent fires from arising, a lot of these mechanisms can become ineffective over time. As such, any estimates regarding how long a heating system will work must be understood to be based on averages, or ballpark figures at best, and not take into account how older systems have outdated safety mechanisms. Realizing this, homeowners need to remember all safety features are present for a reason — to ensure safety.
Gas Leaks
If your furnace burns natural gas, remember that natural gas can cause all kinds of health issues if it leaks. Older, outdated units are far more susceptible to this, as opposed to newer models that use far safer and efficient technology. When gas furnaces get older, they begin to corrode and smaller leaks develop easily. Again here, while most furnaces have sensors and fail-safe features designed to warn you, if you have an older system you should not rely on it exclusively. Oil furnaces are no exception either, as they are prone to fuel leakages that can damage the house and create fire hazards.
Carbon Monoxide
While all heating systems have safety features to prevent carbon monoxide from becoming a problem, over time these features become unreliable. If that happens, it can put everyone in the home at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Furthermore, older heating systems lose efficiency as they age and this can cause smaller levels of carbon monoxide to be released. Because these lower levels don’t usually trip a furnace’s safety sensors right away, over time health problems can arise as a result.
Common Warning Signs
As we’ve discussed, the hidden dangers of older heating devices are serious. As such, it’s imperative homeowners know some of the signs of trouble and be proactive, keeping safety first. A few of the more common warning signs of trouble include:
- Yellow Flame: The burner and pilot light flame on your furnace should always be blue and it should never be flickering. If you notice the flame is flickering, or if it’s yellow, you should immediately call us because there could be carbon monoxide or gas leaking.
- Flu-Like Symptoms: Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that can be very hard for humans to notice when there is a leak. As such, if you or your loved ones are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it could be resulting from a carbon monoxide leak.
- Increasing Energy Consumption: If your heating costs are on the rise or if they seem higher than normal, your furnace might need to be repaired or replaced. Regardless, moving forward it’s good to monitor the money you have going out on heating month to month as this could be a sign of something amiss.
- Strange noises: If you hear any banging, grinding, popping, rattling, or squealing noises coming from your furnace, it’s another sign your system is heading for trouble. Another noise is the sound of your blower running constantly.
What can I do to avoid furnace problems?
Understanding the hidden dangers of an old furnace, a homeowner is likely to wonder: What can I do to avoid the hidden dangers of an old furnace?
And the simplest answer involves having a professional perform maintenance regularly. Maintenance not only allows us to detect these kinds of problems early on, but it also helps us prevent them in the first place — all the while saving you hard-earned money on energy costs and prolonging the lifespan of your heating equipment.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Fairfield-Hamilton Heating & Cooling today at 513-540-1716, or click here to schedule an appointment now!
