7 Risks of Ignoring Furnace Maintenance
Your HVAC system is an intricate and important piece of machinery. Just like a vehicle, it requires regular upkeep so it can function safely and efficiently. If you ignore furnace maintenance, you could be left with an HVAC system that has to work overtime just to keep your home comfortable, potentially costing you more each month in energy bills. Neglecting it can also wear down the lifespan faster and lead to a slew of other problems. We’ve outlined some of the main risks that you could face without the necessary care and repairs.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
One of the most dangerous hazards of neglecting furnace maintenance is carbon monoxide poisoning. This can happen if cracks develop in the heat exchanger, which is designed to expand and contract during temperature fluctuations and remove hazardous gases like carbon monoxide. If cracks are present, it could leak this deadly gas into your home. And since carbon monoxide is odourless, it’s impossible to detect it without a carbon monoxide detector.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Considering how much time we spend in our homes, the quality of the air we breathe indoors really matters. But the reality is, the air indoors is typically far more toxic than outdoors. There are lots of pollutants present, from mould spores to pet dander to pollen, dirt and dust. The HVAC unit plays a big role in this too since it circulates air throughout the system and carries all those particles with it. If it’s unmaintained, the filters that are designed to capture and prevent pollutants from entering the air can easily become overloaded and clogged. As a result, your indoor air quality could suffer, causing allergy flare-ups and even serious respiratory problems for some.
Expensive Repairs
Similar to vehicles, the longer you neglect any minor issues, the more severe and costly the repairs will likely be. You can only ignore warning signs for so long until they become glaring problems that can be avoided, like an entire system breakdown during a cold winter’s day. To save money and reduce the chances of having to fork out a large sum for expensive repairs or a replacement, get it inspected and maintained.
Higher Energy Bills
An unattended furnace can also weigh heavily on your household expenses by driving up your energy bills. If you notice a sudden spike in your bills each month, take this as a warning that your HVAC system needs attention. When it has to work twice as hard to heat your home, it wastes energy and places a lot more stress on the entire system.
Shorter Lifespan
The average HVAC unit that is properly maintained can last between 15 and 20 years. But with added pressure from excessive wear and tear due to neglect, this can shorten the lifespan, forcing you to dish out a significant amount for an entirely new HVAC system much earlier.
Burst Pipes
The winter season is intense here in Canada, which is why it’s even more important to take furnace maintenance seriously. We depend on it almost constantly to keep us safe and warm. With such extreme temperatures and weather, your furnace could be at risk of breaking down and having burst pipes. Any water in the pipes can quickly freeze within hours, leaving a trail of damage behind for features such as the shower, sink, dishwasher, and more.
Don’t place your furnace and home at risk this winter. Give our team a call at Top Hot Home Comfort to ensure your HVAC system is safe and ready to take on the intense winter season.
