Home Heating System: What Happens if a Furnace is Unmaintained?

All machinery requires thorough maintenance to function effectively. Furnaces are no exception. As a matter of fact, furnace experts strongly recommend that consumers should book annual furnace maintenance appointments. Doing so guarantees that their home heating system is properly functioning as it should be, and that any problems with the system that could pose a danger to the household are handled swiftly.

Heating systems are an essential part of every house. However, like with many other things, they can pose serious health and safety risks to you and your family if they are not properly maintained.

In this guide, we will go over the reasons regular furnace maintenance is so important and the dangers of ignoring maintenance on your home’s HVAC system.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

As a natural byproduct of incomplete combustion, carbon monoxide is produced. It is a toxic gas that is tasteless, odorless, and colorless. Most home systems release a trace amount of carbon monoxide, which should be released properly to the outside of your house. However, unclean furnaces that have not been serviced regularly may generate higher, dangerous levels.

A professional heating tune-up will lower your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by inspecting your system for the following:

• Malfunctioning safety devices
• Insufficient ventilation
• Incorrect gas pressure
• Improper airflow
• Cracks in the heat cells

Poor Indoor Air Quality

If you don’t maintain your furnace’s air filter, it won’t take long for it to become clogged with debris, dust, and even mold. When the air filter can’t keep particles out any longer, your ductwork and furnace become coated with them. When this happens, these contaminants are then circulated throughout your home alongside the heat.

Have you ever wondered why whenever you put on the heat in the fall, there is suddenly more dust in your home? It’s no surprise that people begin getting sick more often during the fall season. 

Fall furnace maintenance is not only vital for your system, but it is also fundamental to maintaining the air quality in your home and avoiding unnecessary respiratory irritation or illness in the colder months. 

People with asthma and other respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable. Regular cleanings of your ductwork—preferably once a year—and at least every 3-5 years, will keep the air from your ducts cleaner and freer from contaminants that result from lack of maintenance, avoiding a myriad of problems that can arise from your HVAC system.

Higher Energy Bills & Wasted Energy

While an HVAC system that has not received regular inspection may still generate heat and cool a space, it definitely will not work efficiently. As a result, an under-maintained system will have to work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and consume significantly more energy when cooling or heating your home. 

Not only is this a waste of energy, but it also has a significant impact on your energy bill. Repairs and maintenance may seem like a cost that you would rather not incur upfront. However, in the long run, regular maintenance will save you considerable money on your energy bill in the long run and benefit the environment by reducing energy waste.

Shortened Lifespan

Replacing your furnace can be quite expensive. In fact, prices of new units are only slated to increase in 2022 due to component shortages across the globe. It is significantly more practical to maintain your furnace regularly to ensure that your heating system performs effectively. 

Your furnace’s internal components are complicated. Even a slight issue that you may not be aware of can reduce the lifespan of your furnace and may create significant problems in the long run. Don’t skimp on maintaining one of the most important (and most costly to replace) systems in your home.

Malfunctioning Heaters Come With Fire Risks

Unsurprisingly, if you don’t keep your house furnace in good working order, it can become a fire hazard. Every year, around 51,000 fires are caused by electrical fires in the home. 

Frayed wires are a typical cause of furnace fires. HVAC professionals verify your wiring throughout the furnace to ensure that each wire is in excellent shape and that your conditions and equipment do not promote an increased risk of fire. When they notice a potentially unsafe situation, they can take immediate corrective action to notify you and correct it, saving not only your furnace, but potentially your home, your family, and your life.

Schedule A Tune-Up Today With On Time Home Services

Set an appointment to have your furnace examined and repaired. The time and money spent on a simple routine furnace maintenance repair call are well worth it. Inspections and tune-ups will pay for themselves when it comes to enhanced heating efficiency and energy savings. The most significant benefit, your peace of mind, will be invaluable.

On Time Home Services are the Bakersfield HVAC specialists. Our professional HVAC technicians are available to assist you in providing air conditioning, heating, and plumbing services. Bakersfield homeowners trust us to keep their homes running at peak efficiency all year round. 

Talk with our expert team today and schedule your FREE quote.