Having a furnace during the cold winter months is such a helpful luxury. You can turn it on, feel cozy on the couch, and watch something exciting or read a book. However, you may want to be a little more careful with the heater.
Most furnaces are natural gas furnaces, which can emit some carbon monoxide. The dual-fuel system of your furnace should generally keep it from leaking, but that’s only during windy and chilly times. You don’t get a choice when the temperature is freezing, and you need natural gas.
Why You Don’t Want Carbon Monoxide to Leak
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is exhausted when the fuels in your natural gas furnace are undergoing the combustion process. Although, your furnace isn’t the only thing that can leak carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide can also come from other household appliances and heating systems.
This particular gas is dangerous when it lingers in your home. When a person breathes in carbon monoxide, their body is prone to poisoning. This can range from several effects, like headaches, nausea, suffocation, or death. The more there is, the more negative the effects.
It’s essential to avoid any exposure to monoxide. However, it can be concerning because carbon monoxide is both odorless and colorless. It’s hard to detect whether there’s monoxide in your air already as you can’t tell by yourself if you don’t have any devices made for it.
Causes of Carbon Monoxide Leak
You may want to call up an HVAC specialist to inspect your natural gas furnace and see what could have caused the leak. Using a combustion analyzer and narrowing down the cause of why carbon monoxide escaped from the system will help the specialist patch it up to avoid any leakage again.
It could be for a range of reasons. The most common culprit is a faulty, cracked heat exchanger. A heat exchanger is a metal part of the ventilation system that transforms heat from one form to another. When your furnace is off, the material of the heat exchanger cools down. Too much of this sudden heating and cooling warrants a desperate need for a replacement.
It’s also a possibility that the system just wasn’t installed properly in the first place, causing negative air pressure. Find a contractor that can rectify the installation so that you don’t have to deal with any future leaks.
Furnace Safety Precautions
Prevention is essential and can help you save a lot of money from future expenses. Consult with an HVAC specialist about what combustion safety precautions you can take. Doing this can help ensure you can use your furnace and keep warm while breathing in safe air.
A CO detector can be a good investment, as it will help alert you of carbon monoxide from your furnace and other gas-related appliances. Remember to conduct maintenance checks every now and then just to be safe!
Conclusion
A combustion analysis doesn’t take all too long. After all, it’s well worth it to make sure there’s no carbon monoxide coming out of your furnace, and that you’re safe and healthy.
Good Guys Home Services can help check, repair, or replace your Trane furnace with ease. We offer same-day emergency service and regular maintenance. Get in touch with us today to schedule a service!
