There’s no doubt about it: We all love to save money.

And because many of us have seen how good heating equipment is truly built to last, the temptation to keep using an older, outdated system could seem like a good idea on the surface. Upon further examination, however, any expert will tell you this can not only be dangerous, it can also cost you a lot more in the long run.

Among the many serious risks involved with using an old furnace, many of them are more likely to happen when the unit hasn’t been maintained over time properly.

To help you identify some of the more serious risks and the warning signs to keep an eye out for, our technicians at Upper Arlington Heating & Cooling put together the following:

Top 3 Dangers of Old Heating Equipment

Fire Hazards

Our furnaces are designed to safely use combustion to provide heat for our winter dwellings. And while they almost always have some sort of fail-safe system to prevent fires from arising, a lot of these features can degenerate over time, becoming faulty, ineffective and useless. As such, any estimates on how long a heating system will last must be understood to be solely based on averages — and ballpark figures at that. They don’t take into account how older systems tend to lack a lot of the safety mechanisms found in almost all newer, safer, more efficient furnaces. We are reminded that these safety features are there for a reason —  to ensure safety. Because heating sources are a leading cause of house fires worldwide, furnaces continue to improve in safety and performance as technology advances.

Carbon Monoxide 

Although every heating system should have fail-safe features to prevent carbon monoxide from forming and leaking, over time the features, like the others, tend to break down and become unreliable. This can put everyone in the home at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Furthermore, older heating systems lose efficiency with time and this can cause smaller levels of carbon monoxide to be released as a result of incomplete combustion. Because these lower levels may not trip your furnace’s fail-safe sensors right away, health problems can arise over time as a result.

Gas Leaks

If your furnace burns natural gas for heat, keep in mind natural gas leakage can cause a wide range of health issues. Older, outdated furnaces are far more susceptible to this, as opposed to newer models that are far safer and much more efficient. When gas furnaces get older, they begin to corrode and smaller leaks become more and more likely. Again here, while most furnaces have sensors and fail-safe mechanisms that are designed to warn you, you cannot rely on them exclusively if you have an older system. Oil furnaces are no exception either, as they are prone to leakages that can damage the home itself and become fire hazards. In all of this, in each of these cases, having preventative maintenance performed regularly by a professional makes these risks far less of a threat.

Common Warning Signs

As we have explained, the hidden dangers of older heating devices are serious. As such, it’s imperative homeowners watch for some of the signs of a heating system that’s headed for trouble. Homeowners should always put safety first. A few of the more common warning signs of trouble include:

• Yellow or Flickering Flame: The burner flame and pilot light on your furnace should always be blue and it should never flicker. If the flame is flickering, or if it’s yellow, you should give us a call right away, as there could be carbon monoxide or gas leaking.
• Increasing Energy Consumption: If your heating costs are rising or if they seem higher than usual, your furnace might need to be repaired or replaced. Regardless, moving forward it’s good to monitor your energy bills as this could be a sign of something amiss.

• Flu-Like Symptoms: Because carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, it can be difficult for humans to know when there is a leak. As such, if you or your loved ones are experiencing flu-like symptoms, it could be a carbon monoxide leak.
• Strange noises: If you hear any banging, grinding, popping, rattling, or squealing noises coming from your furnace, it’s another sign your system is heading for trouble. Another noise is the sound of your blower blowing constantly. 

What can I do to avoid furnace problems?

Understanding the hidden dangers of an old furnace, a homeowner might ask themself: What can I do to avoid these kinds of problems during the winter?

The answer is simple, and revolves around replacement, repairs and maintenance. Having said that, the most essential thing you can do to avoid the hidden dangers of an old heating system is to have a professional perform preventative maintenance regularly. Maintenance not only helps us detect these kinds of problems, but it also helps us prevent them in the first place — all the while saving you hard-earned money on energy costs and prolonging the lifespan of your heating equipment.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Upper Arlington Heating & Cooling today at (614) 490-7507, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!