How an Old Heater Impacts Your Health

How old is your heater? Ten years? Fifteen? More than that? The older a heater is, the more risk there is to your family and your home. Especially when left unmaintained, heaters that reach a certain age can cause many issues.

Here are some ways an old heater can negatively affect the health of your family and your home.

Poor Air Quality

As your furnace ages, it becomes more prone to sending polluted air into your home. This often comes through air particles like dust, dander, pollen, and mold. While normally you’d be able to change out your filter, this eventually won’t be enough. A dirty filter can cause damage to your system that won’t be resolved when you install a new one, which is why it’s so important to keep up with changes.

Leaks

An older heater is more prone to gas and carbon monoxide leaks. Gas leaks are extremely dangerous and can lead to fire or explosion. It’s important that if you smell gas (similar to rotten eggs) around your furnace that you leave your home immediately and call 911.

Similarly, you need to make sure your pilot light remains blue. A yellow pilot light means that excess carbon monoxide is being produced. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that can be harmful to you and your family if left untreated. If you notice a yellow flame, turn off your furnace, and call a technician right away.

Trust Our Team to Install Your Heater

If it’s time to upgrade your heating system, look no further than the team at West Coast Air Conditioning. Our expert technicians are standing by at (805) 954-9195 to help with all HVAC issues, leaving your home in the comfortable environment you deserve.