If you have a furnace in your home, then you know that while providing comfort and warmth, it can also be a safety hazard. As a homeowner, you should be aware of anything that threatens safety in your home. As such, it helps to know the common causes of carbon monoxide leaks from a furnace. Given that the heating season is approaching, you want to ensure that your family and home are safe. Keep reading to find out more about the common causes of carbon monoxide dangers and leaks.
If you are looking for additional information on causes of carbon monoxide leaks from a professional HVAC company, connect with Galmiche & Sons. Our technicians are friendly professionals, well equipped to handle just about any heating & air conditioning need. Give us a call today at 314-993-1110 to schedule an appointment.
What are the Causes of Carbon Monoxide Leaks?
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of the combustion process in the heat exchanger. Usually, if your HVAC system is in good condition, this gas will be directed through the furnace’s flue pipe and safely outside. However, there are a couple of ways in which this carbon monoxide leaks back into your home.
So, what are the common causes of carbon monoxide leaks from your furnace?
- Cracked or corroded flue pipe: The flue pipe is responsible for directing the carbon monoxide produced safely out of your home. With time, wear and tear may cause corrosion or cracks in the flue pipe, which then allow the gas to leak out and may lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Broken heat exchanger: The heat exchanger is made up of metal parts. Every time the furnace is working, these parts will expand and contract depending on the heat in the furnace. With time, the gradual expansion and contraction may lead to some cracks and corrosion. The carbon monoxide then leaks through these cracks and spreads in your home.
- Clogged flue pipe: Clogged flue pipes are a common cause of carbon monoxide leaks. If your filters are broken, then the air passing through the HVAC system will contain foreign objects that can eventually clog up the flue pipe, leading to a carbon monoxide leak in the home.
How to Avoid the Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide leaks are dangerous and can be lethal. It is vital that you know how to avoid these common causes of carbon monoxide leaks from your furnace. We recommend that you:
- Get regular maintenance: One of the easiest ways that you can avoid the common causes of carbon monoxide leaks is by having regular professional maintenance. Annual maintenance allows your technician to identify any problems beforehand and fix them before becoming problems.
- Keep air filters clean: Carbon monoxide leaks are more likely to crop up in a system that has airflow problems. Dirty air filters are the most common reasons for airflow problems in your HVAC unit. Ensure you clean and replace your filters when necessary to avoid any further issues.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in the house: Even with all the safety measures in place, having detectors in the house could save your life. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, which means that you may only discover a leak after irreparable damage is done.
Contact Galmiche & Sons for More on the Causes of Carbon Monoxide Leaks
If you would like to know more about the common causes of carbon monoxide leaks from your furnace, give us a call at 314-993-1110. Contact us to schedule your regular maintenance appointment or to chat with one of our experts for solutions to all your heating & air conditioning problems.
