Some professionals believe it is safest to have your furnace inspected bi-annually (twice a year). Others think annually (every year) is good, and still others say that for the first 10 years, it’s acceptable to have it inspected biennially (every other year). The government website on carbon monoxide poisoning recommends an inspection by a qualified technician annually (https://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm). Despite this, many people don’t have their furnaces inspected at all until they sell their homes and are required to do so by the buyer.
Furnaces create gases. The most dangerous of these is carbon monoxide (CO), which is sometimes referred to as “the silent killer”. It’s produced when the fuel burns. If the furnace’s heat exchanger should be cracked, CO is released into the air. Besides being poisonous, CO is colorless and odorless, making it hard to detect without a CO meter or alarm.
Symptoms of CO are similar to flu symptoms, another reason it isn’t easily detected. You may experience headaches, vomiting, weakness, chest pain, dizziness, and confusion. High levels of CO leaking into your home will result in fainting and even death. Especially vulnerable are infants, the elderly and people with chronic disease, such as heart disease, anemia and breathing issues.
Furnaces may also emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and soot. Furthermore, clogged filters allow dust particles, which can trigger sinus congestions and allergic reactions to mold, pollen, dust mites and other airborne issues, into your home.
If your family seems sick, and you haven’t had your furnace checked, don’t hesitate to call an HVAC specialist and ask to have your furnace cleaned and certified.
HVAC experts agree that 75% of repairs could have been avoided if the furnaces had been properly serviced. Dirty furnace parts can shorten the life of the vital parts of your furnace. For this reason, most furnace manufacturers require regular maintenance as a condition for their warranty
A long lifespan for your furnace means money in your pocket, and so does efficiency. A dirty furnace cannot produce heat efficiently; neither can a furnace with broken parts. If, for example, your blower wheel is broken, your furnace is handicapped and not heating your home as it should. This causes unstable temperatures in your home and results in higher power bills.
While furnaces tend to make noises, if you hear noises that is unusual, like scraping, popping, or squealing noises, chances are something is threatening your pocketbook. If you furnace is in the crawlspace of your home, however, you may not hear the noises. Winter is no time to have your furnace go out. Broken pipes due to freezing can cost a small fortune. It’s best, then, to have your furnace cleaned and certified annually–well before the winter rush.
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