Do you use a gas-powered furnace? If you do, you’re certainly not alone—many homeowners in our area use these powerful and efficient heating systems to keep warm all winter long. But if you are one of these homeowners, there is one potential safety risk you should be aware of—a cracked heat exchanger.
Like any other powerful appliance or equipment that creates combustion gases, an ill-maintained furnace could potentially create health and safety hazards. This is true whether you skip maintenance or delay a necessary repair, especially if that repair is to a cracked heat exchanger! This isn’t a problem that typically occurs in newer heating systems, but rather those that are aging—around 10-15 years old.
No matter what time of the year it is, there is one thing that you deserve—to be comfortable in your own home. You aren’t going to get that, however, if your HVAC systems aren’t functioning the way they should. There is a lot that can go wrong with any mechanical system or large piece of equipment. Your furnace is no exception. Remember, just because it seems to be running fine, doesn’t mean that’s actually the case.
Winters are harsh in our area. Or, at least they can be without an effective and efficiency furnace in place. And yours is about to be put under a lot of stress. The strain our furnaces go through during the coldest part of the year increases the chances of problems cropping up over time, which is why you should be particularly vigilant for signs that it is struggling and in need of 
When your furnace runs effectively year after year, a problem with the system comes as a surprise. Furnaces are durable, after all, but only assuming they get the service they really need year after year. Improper maintenance can be a huge contributing factor as to why a heating system experiences frequent breakdowns, although many come without warning.
This year, don’t waste your time making repairs for your home furnace in the middle of winter, when you need it most. You might be surprised to hear that a large portion of the problems we see with furnaces in the colder season are largely preventable. Furnace repairs are frustrating, and in some cases, they are also dangerous. We want to help you avoid them at all costs.
Having trouble with your furnace? Don’t jump to conclusions just yet. The best thing you can do is call in a technician to have a look. You might find out a small repair is the solution. However, it may end up a new furnace is in order.
