Are Furnaces Good for Your Health?
The furnace in your home is an intimate piece of equipment. It probably runs all through the winter months. Just the fact that it keeps your home warm and comfortable is a positive health benefit. Without it, you would be quite uncomfortable at the very least, and at the worst, you could become seriously ill. A furnace that has been in operation for many years can pose certain hazards. An older furnace typically has a pilot light and other components that can be dangerous to your health or personal safety if they are faulty. Possible issues include carbon monoxide poisoning and a higher risk of household fires. Old Furnaces and Carbon Monoxide The pilot lights in older furnaces usually have manual controls, and maladjustment can cause carbon monoxide production. Modern homes are built to be fairly airtight, so this gas could build up. The flame of a pilot light should be bright blue with a slight tinge of green and have a yellow tip. If the entire flame looks yellow and weak, it could indicate a problem. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and sometimes fatal. It kills over 200 people in the United States each year. It can also cause...
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