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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:
May 9, 2018
I had cold and hot spots all over my 70 yr old home. My furnace is quite new and Greg optimized the fan and furnace. The original installer just took it out of the box with factory settings and installed it- basically running at 50% of capacity. Greg also routed heat into my laundry room, yeah - so now I can renovate laundry room - thanks Greg. He is honest, professional and knowledgeable. I will be calling him back in the spring to optimize my AC as well.
May 8, 2018
Wonderful from beginning to end. I tend to fret and worry about home improvements but the excellent team at TwinTech put my mind as ease. They listen, they are patient and best of all ... the work they did is amazing! I chose the Goodman 80K BTU 2 stage furnace and the matching Goodman air conditioner. Greg, Grant and Poitr "Peter" arrived on time, took great care, explained everything to me and they answered all of my questions. They carefully adjusted the factory settings to optimize the furnace for my house and they also checked the duct work in the basement. Dave, the Sales Manager, came by to say "hello" and to see if I was happy. YES, I am happy with the work! The furnace is very quiet. I have it running on low just to circulate the air in the house and it's so much quieter than my old furnace. When I need new duct work for an upcoming basement renovation TwinTech will be my first choice. I highly recommend TwinTech. PS. They were even nice to my dogs.
Apr 21, 2018
Greg was prompt on the scheduled day of installation and the work was done well within the time estimated beforehand. Installation was neat and the equipment and scope of work was as specified in the quote. One item I must point out is that we were faced with a "No Heat" situation the day before the scheduled installation and Greg came out to address it free of charge. Not only that, but he also corrected an installation fault with our smart thermostat that was not part of the original job, again free of charge.
Mar 16, 2018
Greg came by to do a routine furnace checkup. He was very knowledgeable and professional, letting me know what's being checked/adjusted and giving me tips to ensure everything runs smooth. Very honest and upfront about what's working fine vs. what may need to be fixed/replaced. He didn't attempt to up sell anything that wasn't necessary. I'm glad to have finally found someone I can trust and rely on for all my HVAC needs - furnace, A/C, and hot water tank.
Mar 4, 2018
I'm very happy with the work that was done. Everyone from salesperson to the installers were friendly and professional. They were on time and cleaned up the job site after it was installed. They also answered all my follow up questions promptly. I wouldn't hesitate to work with them or recommend them again.
Feb 28, 2018
Thanks to the team at Twin Tech for a great job installing my new heat pump/ac unit. The guys were very polite and professional. When they left you would never have known they had been there except for the new Mitsubishi unit on the wall!! would highly recommend the Twin Tech team.
Feb 28, 2018
Installed professionally, no delays, no rework needed. Very reliable contractor and sales person. Also installed BBQ gas line and some duct work.
Feb 19, 2018
Greg and Grant are friendly, reliable, and knowledgeable HVAC professionals. The twins, Dave and the entire team provided efficient top quality service. Our family plns to use Twintech for all of our future HVAC needs.
Feb 10, 2018
Very impressed with this company. They show up on time , kept my place clean and after they left it looks like they were never there. Very professional team. Those people know what they doing . Their installation was on the highest standard. They are very knowledgeable especially they're worker Peter. I strongly recommend this company to everybody. After the installation I receive the call making sure I'm satisfied with their products and their job. Bravo!!!
Feb 8, 2018
Greg and his brother were referred to us by a friend. They arrived when they said they would, did an exceptional job and left the place as tidy or tidier then they found it. Their professionalism is only surpassed by their kind and friendly demeanor. Even after several calls to help me with my high tech thermostat I feel that I could always call with any concern (No one responds to my texts as quickly as Greg) and have a friendly helpful response. I found out their grandfather started the company and now as a 3rd generation company, they are doing their grandfather proud. I would highly recommend Twintech over any other hvac company out there.
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