Your furnace is one of your most valuable appliances, effectively and efficiently warming your home during chilly Toronto winters. Most modern furnaces also have a humidifier component to improve air quality. It removes airborne contaminants that can cause mould and mildew, impacting your health and damaging your home.
Regular checks are vital to extending the longevity of your furnace. Book annual appointments for professional maintenance to keep it running in peak condition.
As with all household appliances, with time, you may notice issues affecting your furnace’s performance. One common issue is water leaks. Unnoticed and untreated leaks can cause moisture damage, expose you to harmful gases and damage your unit. If you notice water leaking from your furnace, what could be the cause – and what should you do?
Take Action
The most important thing to remember if you see your furnace leaking moisture is to act immediately. This is what you need to do:
1. Turn off the power
If you see water dripping from your furnace, turn off the power source or the breaker right away. Use a wooden stick or piece of plastic to avoid electric shock. If there is an off valve for the water, close that as well.
2. Clean up the water
Get the area as dry as you can. Use towels, napkins, old newspapers or a wet-and-dry vacuum to absorb as much liquid as possible. Ventilate the area, using fans if necessary, so any moisture you missed will dry out.
3. Contact your Toronto furnace supplier
Your Toronto furnace supplier will provide guidance and connect you to an accredited technician. Some tasks may be easy for you to do yourself, like changing your furnace’s filter; however, it is best to contact a professional to repair a leaking furnace.
Assess the Situation
You can do a few things to determine the cause of the leak and help explain it to your service professional.
Knowing the type of furnace you have can make finding the cause easier. Look for your furnace’s Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating on a yellow tag. A high-efficiency furnace will have a rating of 90% or higher. A rating below that indicates standard efficiency. If you are unable to find the tag, you can also look at the exhaust pipe. If it is made from white PVC plastic, you have a high-efficiency or condensing furnace. Conventional or standard-efficiency models have a metal exhaust pipe.
Now that you have identified the type of furnace, let’s look at why it might be leaking.
1. Condensation
High-efficiency furnaces have two heat exchangers. Your furnace has mechanisms to maintain a safe temperature and keep it from overheating. Condensation is a by-product of this process and must be drained away with pipes. If one of the pipes is clogged, damaged or loose, it can cause condensation at the base of your furnace.
2. A clogged filter
Clogged filters lead to increased dust and other contaminants in your home and limit your furnace’s airflow. This malfunction can create excess moisture that will leak from your furnace.
3. Humidifier damage
Your furnace’s humidifiers are linked to the plumbing system. Humidifiers add moisture to the air – so if the humidifier is damaged, you may see water around the furnace.
Other Types of “Leaks” to be Aware of – Heat Exchanger Malfunction
If your heat exchanger malfunctions, excess heat can cause cracks in the system, resulting in Carbon Dioxide leaks and production of deadly Carbon Monoxide. Problems with heat exchangers can be difficult and pricey to fix, so you may need to purchase a new unit.
Toronto Furnace Repair and Services
Have your furnace checked annually by an accredited professional to reduce costly malfunctions, improve energy efficiency and extend its life. Canada HVAC has been a trusted Toronto furnace supplier for over 30 years. We provide high-efficiency furnaces from top brands and partner with certified professionals to ensure quality installation and maintenance.
Call us at 1-833-CAN-HVAC or fill out our contact form to speak with one of our HVAC experts.
