With the winter chill refusing to show any signs of slowing down, your furnace is working hard at all times. While your furnace is the only way to stay warm during the winter months, it can also put the safety of your house at risk. Keep reading to ensure the well-being of your household so that it won’t be compromised by a furnace carbon monoxide leak. 

Dangers of A Furnace Carbon Monoxide Leak

“I use a furnace every month, and nothing bad has ever happened in my house!” Many lucky families are able to share that thought. While you may not have personally seen the more significant hazards of CO leakages, the less evident ones may have impacted your family without your knowledge. Let’s take a look at the dangers that come from a furnace carbon monoxide leak.

When carbon monoxide leaks from your furnace, it travels around your house and is in the air you breathe. The more these leaks are left unchecked, the greater the concentration of CO in the air. This leads to carbon monoxide poisoning, which, if not treated timely, can also result in death.

When CO enters the body, it deprives cells of the necessary oxygen they need to operate. The immediate effects of this include headaches, confusion, dizziness, irritability, and nausea. 

Extended CO exposure can result in vomiting, unconsciousness, breathing difficulties, heart irregularity, miscarriages, muscle weakness, brain damage, and also death.

How Is Carbon Monoxide Released?

Identifying the presence of carbon monoxide from a furnace carbon monoxide leak is almost impossible. The main reason for this is the odorless, colorless, and tasteless properties of this gas. Thus, the only way to prevent it from spreading is by learning how it can circulate within your house. It is always recommended, and sometimes required by code, to have carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home.

Cracks in Flue Pipe

The exhaust flue pipe brings exhaust gasses outside of your home. Cracks in this pipe can result in a furnace carbon monoxide leak mixing into the air in your house. 

Ruptures in the Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is where the combustion process occurs and directs the flow of carbon monoxide away from your house. Damages in the heat exchanger can break that separation wall leading to CO leaks.

Clogged Filters

When furnace filters get clogged, it can force your furnace to work harder than it has to. This can wear parts out prematurely and should be maintained regularly.

Malfunctioning Parts

Malfunctions in any part of the HVAC furnace can interrupt the combustion process, creating a way for carbon monoxide to leak into your house.

Lack of Maintenance

Lack of maintenance for your HVAC appliance can leave various problems unspotted. Putting off required maintenance and repairs can cause irreversible damages having severe consequences for your household.

How To Prevent Disaster

In the end, regular maintenance checks are the only solution to protect your family members from deadly dangers resulting from furnace carbon monoxide leaks. 

Not only does this prevent carbon monoxide from entering the premises of your house, but it has loads of other benefits. For instance, maintenance checks can boost the performance of your HVAC furnace, allowing it to function with increased efficiency. 

Moreover, it ensures that any wear and tear is taken care of so your furnace looks as good as new and works just as well. 

Schedule your furnace maintenance with Dempsey Energy today and affirm the safety of your family! Don’t forget to check out our Google reviews!

By zachadmachinescom