Heat exchangers have a limited lifespan (albeit quite a few years) and thusly require a little maintenance from time to time. This is as true for furnaces in industrial facilities, as it is for those being used to heat houses.

The condition of your exchangers can generally be gauged from the colour of the flame put out by your furnace, with a blue flame being indicative of a properly functioning one, while yellow flames generally point to cracks or damages which, if left unattended, could pose a number of health risks to those living and working in the area.

When this happens, it is absolutely crucial to have your heat exchangers repaired or replaced as soon as possible, lest the following dangers lurk in your living or working areas.

Carbon Monoxide

A faulty heat exchanger may result in too much carbon monoxide being produced by the furnace. When this devilish gas fills an area, it can be risky, even deadly to those within it.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can result in a range of unpleasant symptoms, including headaches, weakness, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision and a loss of consciousness.

Carbon Dioxide

In high concentrations, carbon dioxide can kill people, but generally you will experience a number of other side effects long before that happens.

Shortness of breath, heart palpitations and a loss of consciousness are included here. The danger is that carbon dioxide is tasteless and odourless, making it difficult to detect even in high concentrations.

Soot

Soot may seem harmless enough, but in high concentrations it can cause irritation to the lungs, skin and eyes. In addition, if it enters the blood-stream, it can result in respiratory issues and even death.

Contact Centromac South Africa for Details

These are a few good reasons to ensure regular heat exchanger maintenance on your furnaces. For details on having it done professionally, visit the Centromac South Africawebsite today, or contact one of our representatives for details.