Do you know the potential safety risks associated with furnaces? After sitting idle for months, hidden issues like cracks, leaks, or worn parts can turn into serious safety risks once the system turns back on. Scheduling a professional furnace tune-up ensures your unit can keep your family safe and warm as the temperatures begin to drop.
In this blog, we’ll cover why furnace safety matters, the simple steps you can take, and what to expect during a tune-up.
Skipping furnace tune-ups can put your safety at risk
When your furnace has been sitting untouched for several months, hidden problems can surface once you turn it back on. Some of these issues include losing heat when you need it most, carbon monoxide leaks, and potential fire hazards.
Unexpected breakdowns
Furnaces typically last 15 to 20 years, depending on usage and maintenance. With proper care, some can surpass 20 years, though wear and tear is inevitable as the system ages. If your unit is older, it’s even more important to catch issues. Otherwise, you risk unexpected and inconvenient breakdowns and costly repairs.
Carbon monoxide leaks
Most furnaces use natural gas or propane, which increases the risk for carbon monoxide buildup in your home. When your heat exchanger fails to transfer heat from the combustion chamber to the surrounding air, it can release this odorless, colorless gas into the air. If you notice any cracks or leaks in your system, you should act immediately by turning off your furnace and calling Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical.
Fire hazards
Furnaces can become a fire hazard without you realizing it. Faulty wiring can overheat, while clogged filters or blocked exhaust flues can create dangerous situations. Regular cleaning and inspections can help avoid putting your unit and family at risk.
How Homeowners Can Help Maintain Furnace Safety
There are simple steps you can take annually to ensure your furnace is running safely and efficiently year after year. Before turning it on for the season, it’s a good idea to check a few key things around your home. While these tasks don’t replace a professional tune-up, they’re an added layer of protection that ensures your peace of mind this winter.
Change your filters regularly
Replacing your air filters every one to three months can significantly improve your indoor air quality and unit efficiency to avoid buildup of dust, dirt, and other pollutants. Skipping this crucial task can leave your system working harder to compensate. The added stress can cause more long-term wear and tear that can result in costly repairs or unexpected breakdowns.
Keep the area clear
Another way to keep your furnace and family safe is to keep the area around your unit clear and eliminate any clutter or other flammable items. If your space is cluttered, those items can interfere with airflow efficiency or can overheat and cause a fire hazard.
Install carbon monoxide detectors
Installing a carbon monoxide detector is crucial to detect any gas leaks. Since carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, you may not even know you have a leak until it’s too late. When setting up your detectors, you want to keep it at least 5 feet away from your unit, but no more than 20 feet. This placement ensures the detector is close enough to pick up dangerous levels but far enough away it doesn’t interfere with its operation.
Call Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical for a full furnace tune-up
Lastly, you should always call a professional HVAC company like Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical to come and inspect your furnace each year. Tune-ups are essential for catching issues early on, before they turn into dangerous situations and costly repairs.
What to expect during a furnace tune-up
Having your furnace cleaned and inspected annually is crucial for maintaining a safe and comfortable home. At Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical, we offer a comprehensive furnace tune-up, which covers the following and more:
- Testing and adjusting the burners for maximum efficiency
- Inspecting the heat exchanger
- Inspecting and adjusting the ignition system
- Calibrating the blower assembly
- Testing for continuity and amp draw across the blower motor
During this process, our HVAC technicians can also diagnose potential problems early and recommend long-lasting solutions. You can have peace of mind knowing your furnace is running safely and efficiently.
Protect your family and home with a professional furnace tune-up from Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical
Annual maintenance isn’t a recommendation you should take lightly. Annual tune-ups are your best defense against unexpected breakdowns and other unexpected heating emergencies. During every system tune-up, our HVAC technicians take the time to check for hidden problems, explain what they find, and offer long-lasting solutions tailored to your home.
Our Crystal Club membership offers exclusive member benefits with the ability to purchase a plan tailored to your home and needs.
If any urgent issues arise, we’re available 24/7 for emergency services. Do your part to protect your home and family by calling Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical at 815-444-0979 to schedule your tune-up today. Remember, we’re there when you need us!
Author: Mike Thornton, HVAC Manager
