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The Dangers of a Leaking Furnace
Posted On: January 28, 2025
A leaking furnace can pose significant risks to your home and family. Here's a detailed look at the dangers, causes, and solutions to protect your household:
1. Dangers of a Leaking Furnace
a. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
A leaking furnace can release carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless, and deadly gas. Symptoms of CO exposure include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness or death. Even small leaks can be harmful over time, making proper maintenance essential.
b. Fire Hazards
Furnace leaks, particularly those involving gas or combustible materials, can create fire hazards. Gas leaks can ignite if exposed to an open flame or spark, posing a serious safety threat to your home.
c. Water Damage
In high-efficiency furnaces, water leaks are common due to condensation issues. This water can damage floors, walls, and ceilings, leading to mold growth, structural deterioration, and costly repairs.
d. Increased Energy Bills
Leaks reduce the furnace's efficiency, forcing it to work harder to heat your home. This results in higher energy consumption and inflated utility bills.
2. Common Causes of Furnace Leaks
a. Cracked Heat Exchanger
A cracked heat exchanger can lead to carbon monoxide leaks and is one of the most dangerous furnace issues. Over time, heat exchangers can deteriorate due to age, overheating, or lack of maintenance.
b. Condensation Drain Issues
In high-efficiency furnaces, condensation drains may clog or crack, leading to water leaks. Improper installation or poor maintenance often exacerbates this problem.
c. Loose or Damaged Seals
Seals within the furnace may wear out over time, allowing gases or water to escape. These issues can often go unnoticed until a leak becomes evident.
d. Gas Line Problems
Faulty gas connections or leaks in the gas line can lead to dangerous situations, including fire risks and CO poisoning.
3. Signs of a Furnace Leak
- Unusual odors (e.g., sulfur, metallic smells)
- Water pooling around the furnace
- Soot or discoloration near vents or the furnace
- Increased humidity in the home
- Frequent headaches or flu-like symptoms among family members
4. Prevention and Solutions
a. Regular Maintenance
Schedule annual furnace inspections by a certified HVAC technician. Routine checks help identify and address potential problems before they escalate.
b. Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Place CO detectors near bedrooms and furnace areas to alert you to dangerous gas levels. Test them monthly and replace batteries as needed.
c. Address Repairs Promptly
If you suspect a leak, contact a professional immediately. Delaying repairs can worsen the problem and increase risks.
d. Upgrade to a Newer Furnace
If your furnace is old or experiencing frequent issues, consider replacing it with a high-efficiency model. Modern furnaces are safer and more energy-efficient.
5. When to Call a Professional
Contact an HVAC technician immediately if you notice any signs of a leak or suspect your furnace is malfunctioning. Professionals can conduct a thorough inspection, repair damage, and ensure your system operates safely and efficiently.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
Apr 10, 2019
Had new furnace installed and ran into some difficulties but the contractor responded in a timely and efficient manner - after further service calls were made, a reasonable resolution was found.
Apr 8, 2019
The work was done quickly efficiently neatly and professionally. Pleased with the service, information, product, and the company.
Apr 1, 2019
Great sales member named Dave came in told us some amazing items and how they would be priced installed an all. We couldnt believe it! The next day the ac was installed, that day one employee named Greg told us that our furnace was working way to hard and was causing us to use way too much gas. So two days later they came in an installed a new furnace!
Apr 1, 2019
Installation was done quickly and professionally. The new furnace is quiet and provides even heat.
Mar 3, 2019
They removed and discarded old furnace. Installed new furnace. Installed air intake pipe, that had never been installed by builder, no charge. Replaced loose hose on floor with hard pipe and rerouted it to drain, no charge. Almost 33% cheaper then quote from Enercare, which was the company we dealt with and had insurance with for 8 years. No yearly fee for cleaning/insurance, saves 300 a year. Courteous, professional, fast, and friendly. My wife and I have been recommending them to everyone we know and meet, and will continue to do so. Thanks for everything, Twintech!!!
Mar 4, 2019
This company was great to deal with. Our furnace went down and they installed a new furnace the next day with a lot of professionalism!
Feb 22, 2019
Finally! An honest company with highly knowledgeable and informative staff. Had a furnace service and found multiply errors in our system from an amateur installer. Very fair price to correct problems and will definitely use again.
Feb 16, 2019
Had to replace the heating & a/c unit in a condo apartment dwelling. this company recommended by the property manager and president of the condo building. found their workmanship and attention to details very good and very thorough. were able to resolve small problems and situations and happy to feel the heat in my unit. it's pricey, but happy was done by a very professional service. thank you.
Feb 13, 2019
Fantastic team. Completed the job as per the specifications and in under 3 hours. Highly recommended Twintech.
Jan 30, 2019
During the summer, I previously hired TwinTech to replace my air conditioner when it failed. They did an excellent job so when I decided to proactively replace the furnace I contacted them. The furnace I had was 22 years old and showed signs of internal leakage. It still worked but rather than wait to have it fail in cold weather, I decided to purchase a higher efficiency model before it failed and take advantage of energy efficiency rebates. TwinTech offered very useful advice on the make and model of furnace to choose including high efficiency and variable speed motor. The price was reasonable, TwinTech arrived at the allotted time, installed the new furnace (including some re-routing of exhaust lines since the existing ones were too close to other vents), removed the old furnace, tested the installation and cleaned everything up. Overall, it was a good experience, they did a great job and the new furnace is working well.
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