Furnaces aren’t supposed to have safety issues. While people might think because combustion is occuring, that gas furnaces are dangerous pieces of equipment, it’s simply not as true as you’d think. It’s true that furnaces burn natural gas to heat your air, but they’re built with the durability and resilience to go their entire lifespan without a safety issue—if they’re maintained or repaired correctly.
That’s a big if! Don’t become complacent because we’re telling you that a gas furnace is safe. It can easily become dangerous if you ignore a necessary furnace repair in Dublin, CA and mistakenly believe that your system is immune to problems like this. Our team can not only get to the bottom of your heater issue, but we can make sure that no safety concerns are sitting on the horizon. Regular maintenance is essential to avoid these problems, so make sure to schedule furnace maintenance to keep your system running safely.
What Neglect Does
When we’re talking about neglecting a furnace, what do we mean? Well, it basically means forgetting about your system or allowing yourself to forget about some important aspect. Like when you hear it make a strange noise, or when it starts costing more money in the form of expensive heating bills, these are all signs that something is wrong. Whether or not you’re neglecting your furnace on purpose, or if it’s just a natural response to a stressful situation, it can lead to a safety concern down the line.
Common Problems from Neglect
Noises, strange effects, smells, and other things that you might notice from a malfunctioning furnace can lead to a safety problem. For instance, if your furnace smells strange or if it’s making a rattling noise, that could mean that your heater needs repairs, otherwise it will start leaking gas, carbon monoxide, or shut down on the coldest day of the year. Here are some common problems that homeowners neglect more often than we’d like.
- A clogged air filter. Your air filter should be replaced every 1-3 months depending on usage. If it’s not replaced, it could start suffocating your heater as it restricts airflow. This will cause problems and could eventually cause a safety concern. Changing your air filter regularly is a small step that can prevent larger issues.
- A missed maintenance appointment. Maintenance is a necessary service for your furnace. Without it, you could see a decrease in efficiency and your heater will start working harder to compensate. This isn’t good and can lead to repair needs down the line.
- A repair need that was unaddressed. Do you have a rattling screw in your furnace that hasn’t been fixed? That might be fine until that rattling screw bumps into the heat exchanger and causes a safety issue in your home.
- A cracked heat exchanger. This is ultimately what you’re trying to avoid. Any neglect, whether it’s neglecting a different problem or neglecting the crack in your heat exchanger, should be avoided. The heat exchanger is responsible for keeping your air clean and venting the exhaust gases from combustion. Any problem with this component can lead to a hazard, and might even require you to replace your furnace if left unchecked.
We know that it might seem like your furnace is dangerous, but it’s not. As long as you schedule maintenance yearly and call us when you think there’s a problem, we promise that you’ll be fine!
Contact Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. for comprehensive furnace repair.