Your furnace is your lifeline during the freezing months of winter. Losing heat during the frigid months is an experience no one enjoys. Older furnaces may struggle to keep up at times, but is there another concern? Can old, outdated, or unmaintained equipment pose a risk to your health?
Are There Health Risks for Aging Furnaces?
Yes, but there are also health risks for new furnaces that are not properly maintained. Simple mechanical issues or accumulation of particulate debris can spiral into health-threatening problems in either case, although older systems are more susceptible to such issues.
Is a 40-Year-Old Furnace Safe?
The average furnace has a typical lifespan of between 15 and 30 years, which places a 40-year-old unit well past its time. In addition, the risks increase if the furnace hasn’t had regular maintenance over its life. Where it falls on that 15 to 30 year spectrum is determined by what type of furnace you have.
- Natural gas furnaces: If your furnace runs on natural gas, it should last approximately 10 to 20 years.
- Propane furnaces: Propane-based furnaces have a bit more longevity with a 15 to 30 year lifespan.
- Electric furnaces: For electric furnaces, they tend to average a lifetime of 20 to 30 years.
- Oil-burning furnaces: Furnaces that burn oil usually last for 25 years.
Why Are Old Furnaces Unsafe?
The most important and life-threatening reasons are carbon monoxide or gas leaks. In 2019, there were 69 deaths from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, the second-highest percentage of CO-related deaths that did not involve a fire.
Other furnace-related issues that can impact your health include:
- Variable humidity levels.
- Increased airborne particulates and allergens.
- Other byproducts of combustion, such as hydrocarbons.
How Do You Tell If Your Furnace Is Giving Off Carbon Monoxide?
There are several tell-tale signs you can look for.
- Visible soot in the vicinity of your fireplace or furnace. If you see yellow, brown, or black discolorations on the walls, floor, or ceiling around your furnace, turn it off, exit the building, and call in a professional.
- Gas smells do not directly indicate carbon monoxide, as it is an odorless gas. However, carbon monoxide leaks can accompany gas exhaust. Since both gas and CO are dangerous, you should leave the building, and a professional should be brought in either way.
- Dizziness, nausea, or headaches can all indicate unhealthy exposure to carbon monoxide. Again, this is a case of exiting and calling in a professional.
Carbon monoxide is deadly and can take less than an hour to cause death, so extreme caution is always advised. Better safe than sorry, as the old adage states. If you even suspect that you have an issue, don’t place your family at risk. Call our team of professionals at (516) 206-3805.
Contact Tragar Express for Home Heating Oil and Furnace Maintenance
Tragar has been Nassau and Suffolk Counties’ most trusted choice furnace maintenance for over six decades. At Tragar Express, we take pride in offering the most affordable prices on heating oil and five-star customer service. Take a look at our current oil prices and contact us to keep your family warm this fall and winter.
