You can indeed put off some repairs in your home. However, postponing fixing a malfunctioning furnace is one of the most dangerous things you can do. There are a plethora of health hazards of having a malfunctioning furnace. Since your family’s safety should be your top priority, make sure to fix any of the problems as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might face serious consequences. Let’s see what they are.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Let’s start with the most dangerous one. If we look at the CDC statistics, every year, there are around 430 deaths and more than 50000 visits to an emergency room caused by carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States. A malfunctioning furnace can cause serious health issues that may even lead to death. The scariest thing of all is that it is completely odorless.
You need to monitor your pilot light and make sure it always shows blue. If it turns to yellow, that means the system is compromised, and you need to call a certified plumber as soon as possible.
Since it is better to be safe than sorry, it is a good piece of advice to call a certified plumber and check your heating furnace.
Avoid respiratory problems
There is a reason why the best time to schedule a maintenance checkup is during the fall. Not only will you validate that your furnace is working fine and there are no leaks, but you will also fix anything before the winter starts. As soon as the cold days hit us, we will start to warm up our homes more often. That will dry out the air as well.
If your furnace is malfunctioning, that will jeopardize the quality of the air. It will affect both people who already have asthma or other respiratory problems and even generally healthy people.
If you notice an increased level of dust or soot on your furniture, that is a good indicator that your furnace might need fixing.
A malfunctioning furnace is a serious fire hazard
When you first turn on your furnace after a summer season, you will smell a burning scent. This is perfectly normal for the first use after almost a year because the furnace is still warming up. However, it is alarming if you continue to smell burning even after a few uses. An oil leak could cause a fire, which may end fatally. It can even cause higher levels of smoke which is also potentially deadly.
If you are moving, do not risk the safety of your new home by relocating a malfunctioning furnace
It is surprising how many people moved to Brooklyn in the past year. If you recently bought a place, relocating a malfunctioning furnace can only cause problems. Brooklyn-based specialists can do it along with moving furniture and other stuff. However, the real question is should you do it. It is much better to fix the furnace first and then move it to your new home.
Your expenses are already high due to the purchase and the relocation. If you use a malfunctioning furnace in your new home, it can create more problems.
Even if you avoid any serious health hazard, you might still have to spend more money to fix any problems caused by it:
- freshly painted walls are dirty again;
- furniture smells like smoke;
- there is dust and soot on your carpet and furniture;
- your windows require constant cleaning due to the condensation caused by the malfunctioning;
- you will have to pay higher electricity bills because the furnace is not functioning correctly.
The expenses will only start to pile up. With that in mind, deal with all the issues regarding your furnace and only move it when it is fully functional.
You don’t need more stress in your life
Considering how many stressful situations we all go through every day, there is no reason to add one more to the list. With so many serious health hazards of having a malfunctioning furnace, it is best to immediately resolve any issues. If you postpone it for later, it may only increase the levels of stress that are already probably high.
Heating issues during winter
Since the winter season is ahead of us, days are only going to become colder. A malfunctioning furnace means issues with heating. If you cannot heat your home quickly, or if it constantly loses heat, you will have to use the furnace more often.
Not only will the heating be inconsistent, but your energy bill will also be higher. On top of that, if your home is perpetually cold, it can affect your immune system and lead to colds.
Should you fix your furnace or replace it?
This is a tricky question. Many different problems can happen to your furnace – the thermostat not working, flickering pilot light, dirty or clogged filters, cracked heat exchanger, issues with the blower belt, limit switch issues, or worn-out ball bearings. The list can only get more extensive.
It is a good idea to consult with your plumber to see if repairing the furnace is the right approach or if it’s maybe better to replace it. You might even consider changing the heating system altogether. Whatever problem you might experience, it is best to consult with a professional. They will be able to tell you what the best approach is and what the most efficient heating system for your home is if you decide to replace the furnace with something else.
All the health hazards of having a malfunctioning furnace explained
Your health and the health of your family are the number one priority. Do not allow a minor problem to escalate and turn into something more dangerous. Health hazards of having a malfunctioning furnace are serious business, and you need to respond quickly. Also, do not try to resolve the issue on your own; always call a professional plumber. You might accidentally make a mistake that will cause even more harm. When it comes to fixing the furnace, it is always better to pay a little extra, get it fixed quickly, and not lose sleep worrying about the health of your loved ones!
