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Heating

An Old Heating System Can Be Fatal
An archaic heating system can be a major hazard, which can endanger you and your family. Any heating system, which runs fossil fuels such as gas or oil, can be deadly.

What’s the Problem?

  • Poorly adjusted and improperly maintained heating systems run at low efficiency and may have dangerous problems that go undetected for years
  • A plugged boiler or furnace can and will shut down at the most inopportune times
  • An undetected crack in the heat exchanger or other problems with the flue can leak deadly carbon monoxide gas into the living space

What are the dangers of a faulty Heating System?

There is one clear point about old boilers and furnaces that you should take seriously - they can kill. Many people die each year in the U.S. due to antiquated heating systems. The actual danger is not usually an explosion, but is the release of carbon monoxide, also known as the silent killer. The dangers of old heating systems are well known, but few people take this seriously.

Carbon Monoxide causes deaths each year usually due to a simple lack of maintenance on furnaces and boilers. The gas is tasteless, odorless, and can be extremely difficult to detect. When inhaled, it causes drowsiness and takes only a short amount of time for carbon monoxide inhalation to cause asphyxiation.

There are several signals to look for which can mean your boiler is faulty and at risk of giving off carbon monoxide. These include:

  • Soot around barometric damper or draft hood
  • Discoloration or “hot spots” on appliance cabinet
  • Unit cycling excessively on and off

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • drowsiness
  • headaches
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • chest pains

The trouble with carbon monoxide is that you cannot smell, see, or taste it – it is totally colorless and odorless. Over time, your boiler or furnace can become corroded and be in serious disrepair and leak carbon monoxide without notice or warning. Therefore, it is critical to have your heating system maintained or replaced, if need be. Regular servicing will not only keep your boiler in peak condition, but the service technician will be able to identify potential or undetected problems while inspecting the boiler and its workings.

Take recommendations seriously; remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.