It has finally started to get chilly both day and night here in Denver, making it more than likely that you have started up your gas or electric furnace at least once. This is the best time of year to pay special attention to your furnace as any lingering issues typically come to the fore when the system re-starts after a period of dormancy. What kinds of problems or signs should you be looking for? Here are some of the more common ones:
- Problems with ignition – if you have a combustion furnace (one that uses natural gas, propane or oil), you have a burner assembly that includes either a standing pilot light or an electronic igniter. Different problems can develop with the ignition process, such as broken thermocouples or dirt clogging the nozzle, and these will lead to issues with igniting your furnace.
- Cracked heat exchanger – inside your furnace is a very important component called the heat exchanger. This component allows the heat for your home to be generated on the outside of it while funneling the toxic combustion by products directly to your furnace’s flue for expulsion. If there is a crack of any size in the heat exchanger, the toxic byproducts can leak into your home’s indoor air, creating a serious hazard for you and your family.
- Issues with the fan – the way the heat generated by your furnace gets to your home’s living spaces is via a large fan, also known as the blower. If problems develop with any components of the fan assembly, there can be issues with the warm air being blown into your home.
It is never recommended that you try to determine what is happening with your furnace yourself. These systems are complex, have many moving parts and many use a combustible fuel to work. Instead, when you have a repair issue with your gas or electric furnace in Denver, CO, call the people you can count on for fast, correct repair every time: Bell Plumbing and Heating.
