Did you know that the average life expectancy of a furnace is 15 years?
If your furnace is nearing its life expectancy, you’ll need to be vigilant about the health hazards your older furnace may pose to the members of your household.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless flammable gas that is toxic to humans and animals if exposed for an extended period of time. A headache, weakness, fainting, upset stomach or vomiting, chest pain, and confusion are some symptoms of CO poisoning. Sometimes CO poisoning can mimic ‘flu-like’ symptoms, which is why some may not take this deadly gas into consideration when they feel ill, making it extremely dangerous.
Every year there are over 10,000 cases of carbon monoxide-related injuries and over 200 deaths. Having a high concentration of carbon monoxide can cause death in fewer than 10 minutes. Most commonly, low concentrations of the gas are built up and released throughout the house. It can take 8 hours or more for carbon monoxide to build to dangerous levels at a low concentration.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious concern when it comes to older furnaces.
A furnace with a manually controlled pilot light can unknowingly produce harmful carbon monoxide. It’s important to have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home, including the basement if you have one. You can never be too cautious when it comes to a silent killer like carbon monoxide.
Potential Warning Signs – Wondering if your older furnace is causing any health hazards?
Check the color of your pilot burner flame. If the burner flame is blue, it’s likely your furnace is operating properly. If the flame is yellow or flickering, this may be an indication of a gas or carbon monoxide leak. Give Cranbury Comfort Systems a call and we will come right out to do a safety check.
If your gas or electric bills suddenly spike or are higher than normal, it would be wise to have Cranbury Comfort Systems come and check to see if your older furnace needs to be repaired or replaced. Sometimes higher energy bills can be a clue to the health of your furnace, which can also relate to the health of your family.
New Furnaces
Newer furnace models are equipped with pilot lights that have sensors that will shut down if a problem is detected. Not only are they more energy efficient, but newer furnaces are safer for your overall health as well. Replacing your older furnace with an energy efficient furnace will also save you money in the long run. Your wallet will thank you for the savings on your gas and electric bills!
Cranbury Comfort Systems is running an amazing deal on a new furnace and AC system. Now is the perfect time to contact us for an in-depth assessment of your older furnace. The investment in a new furnace will help keep you healthy and bring peace to your mind and to your wallet in the future.
