There’s a saying that claims rust never sleeps. This holds true when it comes to your heating system. Rust is most rampant in places that have humid climates. Using your furnace means there will be temperature imbalances within the system. This will create moisture in the enclosed space, affecting even the most well-made and reliable heating units.
You might prolong your system’s service life by not using it. However, this is not practical if you live in a place that has cold climates. All you can do is delay the day that rust gets to your system. After all, the formation of rust in furnace is a common occurrence. This article includes a discussion on the common culprits behind a furnace that is rusting.
What Causes Rust In A Furnace?
Contents
HVAC experts state that these three are the most likely causes of rust in your furnace:
Water Leaks Or High Humidity
Humidity, or the amount of water vapor in the air, is the first reason. Some places are highly humid as part of their environment. Unfortunately, conditions inside your house can aggravate the situation even further by adding more water into the air in the micro-climate of your home. For example, water leaks are usually the cause behind this additional water in the air in homes.
Air Conditioner Leaks
Air conditioner leaks are a specific kind of water leak that’s often directly linked with your heating unit. Any air conditioning unit produces water during its cooling cycle. Also, many homes have central air conditioners. These systems connect to the ductwork of your furnace. As a result, the leaks from your air conditioner can go directly into your heating system. This significantly increases the ambient humidity. There will also be pools of water in inconvenient areas around your home.
Furnace Exhaust Issues
The last cause is also due to a by-product of your heating system. When your furnace creates heat, the surrounding structure of your furnace will have higher humidity. A furnace generates hot air, and it cools when it leaves the burner, so condensation is created inside the system.
What Are The Risks Of Rusty Furnaces?
Furnaces will rust eventually. It could take a century, but rust will still occur. The best you can do is prolong the day rust takes over. Therefore, you must keep an eye on your system. Be sure to keep an eye out for the following:
Annual Furnace Maintenance
A furnace inspection and annual furnace maintenance work at least once a year are an essential part of keeping rust off your system. It is an affordable service that helps you save money in the long run. It ensures that your system doesn’t break down prematurely, so you don’t have to face a heating system replacement earlier than expected. Annual inspections include a professional check of your system. A professional HVAC contractor will look for rust and make sure that your system operates safely and optimally.
Clogged Burner Jets
Rust can significantly reduce your system’s performance. It can lead to clogged burner jets. As a result, your system becomes less inefficient and uses more fuel to provide your home with the same amount of heat. It can also cause your system to emit toxic carbon monoxide gas into your home.
Furnace Fuel Supply Lines
Rust can also lead to the failure of your furnace’s fuel supply lines. This can be dangerous as it can lead to a fire or explosion in your home. You might have even seen a few videos where a home or office was reduced to a pile of ash due to fire. This is the real danger that rust brings into your home. It creates more than just unsightly reddish-brown streaks on the cabinet’s exterior. Keep in mind that by the time you notice rust on the unit’s exterior, its interior could already be covered entirely with rust.
Repair Furnace Issues Promptly
Aside from annual HVAC check-ups, all issues your furnace has should be repaired promptly. Inspections once a year will help find why rust is building in your heating system. This way, these furnace issues are removed or ameliorated early and as far as possible. Once these conditions are fixed, all damaged components can be repaired or replaced as well.
Unfortunately, some systems cannot be salvaged with a furnace repair. While it is possible in some cases, the cost to get your system gets back to optimal condition might not be worth it. Older systems at peak efficiency work less efficiently than a new unit that runs at less-than-peak efficiency. Consult a professional HVAC contractor who can help you determine these factors.
Take Advantage of Expert Professional Advice
HVAC professionals understand that every homeowner has varying situations. Therefore, they will provide you with cost-effective solutions that you can choose from. This way, you can find the best option to meet your needs and preferences. Rust must be kept at bay so that you’ll have more options to choose from. Once rust has spread throughout your furnace, these options are significantly reduced that a complete replacement is inevitable because of safety concerns.
Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
PFO Heating & Air Conditioning offers high-quality HVAC services in the Greater Princeton, NJ area. Rest assured, we only hire the best professionally certified technicians for all your heating and cooling service needs. All our techs are knowledgeable and experienced in correctly conducting superior HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, and replacements.
Our company has the most competitive HVAC rates in the area. We can help improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness through our maintenance services. Our technicians can also recommend the best repair and replacement solutions that fit within your budget. We value your satisfaction, so all our services come with a guarantee. Schedule a service appointment and call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning today. We provide free, no-obligation, in-home estimates.
Click here to contact us now or call us at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!