Your home’s heating system probably includes something called a furnace if you’re like the typical American homeowner. A home’s heating system can be powered by electricity, natural gas, oil, propane, or another type of fuel. Though they all serve the same fundamental purpose, not all furnaces emit the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide. So that you may stay healthy and prevent potential safety concerns, we’ve included some answers to frequently asked questions concerning furnaces and carbon monoxide below.
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of every fuel-burning appliance, including furnaces. It’s the same with any fuel-burning item, such as a gas stove or furnace. Carbon monoxide is produced by any heating appliance that burns fossil fuels like natural gas, propane, or oil. The deadly gas carbon monoxide is not produced by electric heating systems.
If your furnace is working properly, the carbon monoxide it produces will not mix with the air you breathe. The heat exchanger in your furnace acts as a barrier between the air you breathe and the potentially dangerous flue gases that are produced by your heating system.
Depending on the type of furnace you have, the heat exchanger will either be a metal wall or metal tubing. When your furnace is in use, the heat exchanger will warm up due to the combustion process. It does this without letting the harmful flue gases into your home, transferring heat directly to the air inside. Instead, the gases are released outside your home through a flue pipe.
If the heat exchanger in your furnace develops cracks, carbon monoxide might seep out. Rust causes heat exchangers to become brittle and unusable. Due to the expansion and contraction caused by the heat, the rusty metal might develop cracks that let carbon monoxide seep out.
A professional HVAC service in the fall is the best method to keep your furnace in good working order and prevent this problem from occurring. Your specialist will check the gas pressure in your home’s furnace among other things. Low gas pressure is a common cause of condensation buildup in furnaces, which in turn can cause corrosion. A rusty heat exchanger and other issues caused by moisture can be avoided by having your expert adjust the gas pressure in your furnace. In addition, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed throughout the residence in accordance with EPA guidelines. If the detector uses a battery, swap it out twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall, when we “spring forward” and “fall back” for Daylight Saving Time.
How To Tell How Old Your Furnance Is
As is the case for the majority of households, you probably don’t give your heating system much thought until something goes wrong. And when that occurs, one of the first things you wonder is how old the item actually is. It can be difficult to tell how old your furnace is, but there are a few methods you can use to try. Several options for determining the age of your heater will be discussed below.
Looking at the label on the furnace’s manufacturer is one approach to finding out how old it is. In most cases, this label can be found on the front of a newer furnace. The item will be labeled with the date it was produced.
Look for a serial number if the manufacturer’s label is missing or has been removed. The furnace’s rating plate (a label that provides information about the equipment’s energy usage, manufacturer, etc.) is often where you’ll find this number. Depending on the brand and model of your furnace, the rating plate could be on the front, back, sides, top, or even inside the unit. It may not be necessary to check the serial number if the rating plate also includes the date of manufacture.
Moreover, you can check the warranty information to learn how old your furnace is. The purchase date should be noted on the warranty documentation you have. If you want to find out when you bought your furnace, you can also contact the company that made it.
In order to keep track of when the HVAC system was last serviced, some companies attach a tag or sticker to the device. The installation date, which should be close to the date of manufacturing, is sometimes included on this tag as well. If that doesn’t work, you can always contact the HVAC company that installed your system; they should have a record of the job and know all about the components they set up for you.
Try contacting the maker of your furnace. Even without the serial number, they may be able to identify your furnace and give you an estimate of its age based on a photo of the unit and the rating plate you provide.