Your furnace plays an essential role in your home. However, is it normal for it to leak air? Do you fear it might be ruining your heating efficiency? Not to worry, because we have taken the time to answer that question for you in this article!
Unfortunately, if you have a furnace that is leaking air, then it is a problem. Air leaking from your furnace is inefficient and can decrease energy within the home. If your furnace is leaking air, it could be due to poor manufacturing, incorrect installation, or wear and tear over time.
Issues with your home are never fun. However, if you have issues with your furnace, such as air leakage, you need to address them immediately. In this article, we will discuss how to take care of air leaking from your furnace. In addition, we will take a look at the signs you need to replace your furnace, so read on!
Should My Furnace Leak Air?
It is essential to understand the difference between an airtight and a well-sealed furnace. The best, as well as most efficient furnaces, are airtight. If you have an airtight furnace, it can still be expected to leak a small amount of air.
However, if your furnace is not designed to leak a small amount of free-flowing air, then it will cause the furnace to be less efficient.
Let's take a look at what causes a furnace to leak air:
Improper Manufacture
If your furnace was not manufactured correctly, the parts can be damaged and/or misshapen during creation. This can cause pressure to build up inside of the furnace, which will lead to air leakage.
If you believe that your furnace was not properly manufactured, we suggest contacting a professional. Your home technician can examine your furnace and determine if it was manufactured correctly or not.
Incorrect Installation
If you received your furnace several years ago, it is possible that an improper installation took place when your furnace was set up. Since the furnace was installed improperly, you will need to contact a professional to inspect your furnace for possible damage.
If the technician finds that the improper installation of your furnace caused it to build pressure or break, then you may be able to receive compensation for damages.
Wear And Tear Over Time
Over time, your furnace will begin to wear and tear. This can cause it to break down and leak air. If you believe that the issue with your furnace is due to wearing and tearing over time, then we suggest that you contact a professional.
Your home technician can examine your furnace for damage, leaks, or improper functioning of parts.
How Do you Fix a Furnace Air Leak?
In order to fix a furnace air leak, you will either need a silicone caulk or foam-type sealant.
If you have a vent pipe connected to your furnace, you will need to seal it off in three different spots. The first is the area where the exhaust fan meets the duct.
The second area is just next to the exhaust fan towards the top of the duct. However, if you do not see any damage or leakage in this area, you will need to check another duct section.
The third area that you need to seal is just below where the exhaust fan meets the furnace. This is typically near the floor and can only be seen by standing on a ladder and looking down.
If your furnace is not leaking through a vent pipe, you will need to check a nearby wall. The first area that you should check is any gaps between the furnace and the floor. You can see this area by standing on a ladder near the furnace and looking down at an angle.
If there are no gaps, you will need to move to the next section of the wall where your vents attach. You will need to check the area between the furnace and the wall and any holes in this area.
If you do not see any leaks or damage but still hear an excessive noise coming from your furnace, this is most likely due to the improper functioning of parts inside your furnace.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Leaking Furnace?
The cost to repair a leak in the furnace can vary tremendously depending on the issue and the extent of the repair.
If you need a professional to repair your furnace air leak, this can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,500. The professional may even suggest replacing the whole unit because it will make more sense than repair. If your furnace is over 15 years old, then doing a replacement makes more sense than chasing repair costs in most cases.
How Do I Know if my Furnace is Bad?
There are several signs that your furnace is bad:
The furnace is over 15 Years Old
If your furnace is over 15 years old, then you probably need to replace it. An older unit will not perform as well as a newer one and may even break down completely, which would require an expensive repair estimate. While some furnaces can last over 20 years, you will see a decrease in efficiency over this time.
People in Your House are Getting Sick Often
When the air quality in your home is poor, then this can cause people to get sick. For example, if you notice that someone in your household often has allergies or respiratory issues when they are at home but not outside, then this could be due to a lack of proper ventilation in the house.
High Humidity in Home
The humidity in your home should stay between 30%-50%. If there is excess moisture, then this can cause the air to become hot and humid.
When this happens, condensation forms on the inside of your windows which causes mold growth. This will irritate allergies or asthma that someone may have, but it could also be dangerous for your home.
You Have Unexplained Dust around the House
When dust accumulates faster than you can clean it up, this is a sign of health concerns. If you have pets or children at home who play on the floor, they will be breathing in dust particles that contain chemicals if your furnace is not working correctly. This can cause respiratory issues and even an allergic reaction.
The furnace is Leaking Water
If your furnace is leaking water, then this may be due to an internal problem. The professional will need to inspect the unit further to determine what is wrong with it.
Increased Electric Bill
If you notice that your electric bill has increased dramatically, this may be due to a few reasons.
The first reason could be an increase in temperature. If you use more energy for heating or cooling purposes, this will show up on your bill. The second reason is if there is something wrong with the furnace. If you notice that your home is always colder than it should be, this can cause the furnace to run longer.
Weird Noises Coming From Furnace
If you hear a weird noise coming from inside your furnace, this may be due to an issue. The noise could be something as simple as the motor or fan is loose, but it could also be the unit's inner workings that are wearing down. Either way, you will probably need to replace the furnace soon.
Yellow Pilot Light on Furnace
If the pilot light on your furnace is flickering or has turned yellow, then this may be an indicator that there is a problem with the unit. However, the professional will need to inspect the furnace further to identify what exactly is happening.
Furnace Blows Warm Air
When your furnace blows warm air instead of hot air, then this is a clear sign that something is wrong. The professional will need to inspect the unit and see what exactly is causing the problem.
How Do I Know if my Furnace is Leaking Carbon Monoxide?
One of the most significant signs of your furnace leaking carbon monoxide is a gas smell. If you notice a gas-like smell when the furnace is running, this can mean that carbon monoxide is leaking into your home.
Another sign of your furnace leaking carbon monoxide is if you have unexplained headaches or nausea in your home. This means that there is probably too much carbon monoxide, and it has made its way into your home. This is particularly dangerous and you should take carbon monoxide risk very seriously. Invest in a CO2 detector to protect you and your family.
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How Long do Furnaces Usually Last?
Typically, furnaces last on average 15-20 years. Of course, this always depends on a number of factors like brand, model, climate, and usage. The age of your furnace may be an issue if it has not been appropriately maintained. A technician can identify what maintenance you need for the unit to function correctly.
Final Thoughts
Overall, if your furnace is leaking air and you are unsure what to do, then contact a professional. They will be able to pinpoint the exact issue and give you an affordable quote. Also, if the furnace has not been appropriately maintained throughout the years, then this could cause it to break down sooner than expected.
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Is A Furnace Supposed To Make Noise?