The idea of your furnace exploding is a terrifying prospect. Fortunately, it’s not a common occurrence, but if you don’t take care of the equipment or ignore problems, it’s a possibility.
To avoid dangerous and potentially tragic consequences, stay alert to the signs your furnace is going to explode, and call Complete Comfort Heating, A/C & Plumbing Repair for furnace repair services in Mooresville, IN, if you notice any of them.
Common Mooresville, IN, Furnace Problems That Signal a Potential Explosion
While any issue with your heating system is inconvenient, some are especially dangerous and require immediate attention. Even if you notice something that turns out to be a minor issue, it’s best to have it checked out to ensure that the heater is safe and in no danger of causing a house fire or worse.
With that in mind, here are the signs your furnace is going to explode that you need to watch for.
1. Bad Smells
Although you might notice a slight odor when you turn on the furnace for the first time each season as the dust burns off, you shouldn’t notice any other smells while it runs. If you suddenly catch a whiff of rotten egg smell, burning plastic, or sewer, turn off the heat and call for emergency help from a Mooresville heating expert. A rotten egg smell is especially worrisome, as that can indicate a dangerous gas leak.
2. Discolored Pilot Flame
The furnace’s pilot flame should not be any color other than blue. An orange or yellow pilot flame means there’s a problem that could cause an explosion. A discolored pilot light indicates a ventilation problem, meaning that carbon monoxide is accumulating in your home.
In many cases, your carbon monoxide detector will go off when the pilot light changes color. This is another sign of a serious furnace issue that requires professional attention.
3. Excessively Loud Noises
Over time, you get used to the noises your furnace makes. This makes it easier to tell when something isn’t quite right. However, your furnace should never make loud banging noises; grinding, squealing, popping, and high-pitched whining sounds also indicate something bad is happening.
Although sometimes the source of the noise is something simple like a loose component that needs tightening, it can also be the sound of an impending disaster, so don’t ignore it.
4. Unexpected Shutdowns
You expect your furnace to run consistently without too much trouble. However, if you’re dealing with frequent shutdowns, that’s a sign that something’s wrong and requires repairs. Modern furnaces will automatically turn off whenever there’s an issue that could affect safety, so you shouldn’t brush it off when the unit keeps turning itself off.
5. The Furnace Gets Too Hot
On a chilly Mooresville winter day, it’s reasonable to expect that the furnace itself will feel warm when it’s running. It shouldn’t be unbearably hot, though. An overheating unit is a serious issue and cause for concern, as it’s one of the signs your furnace is going to explode.
6. Electrical Issues
If your furnace won’t turn on, keeps tripping the circuit breaker, or shows other signs of an electrical problem, like the smell of burnt plastic or scorched wiring, there’s an issue that needs immediate attention. Not only will an electrical issue affect the furnace’s functionality, but it can create a major fire or explosion risk.
Furnaces can develop electrical issues for several reasons. Overheating is one, but faulty components, loose connections, and damage to the wire insulation due to pests or wear and tear are also possibilities. Whatever the cause, you need help from a qualified furnace technician or electrician to solve the problem and prevent an explosion.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Furnace Is Failing
Thankfully, the likelihood of your furnace fully exploding is relatively low. Again, most have safety features that prevent that from happening. Still, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that faulty furnaces are a factor in about 50,000 house fires annually.
For this reason, the best thing to do when you suspect trouble is to turn off the furnace and call for help. If you notice signs of a carbon monoxide or gas leak, call 911 and leave your home. Otherwise, call a local furnace company to investigate the problem.
Complete Comfort Heating, A/C & Plumbing Repair Is Here to Help Mooresville Homeowners
If you’re a Mooresville, IN, homeowner and notice signs your furnace is going to explode, don’t wait. Call Complete Comfort Heating, A/C & Plumbing Repair for immediate help. We’ll fix the issue and go over a furnace checklist for winter to ensure you don’t have any further trouble. Contact us today.