In Houston, we spend a large portion of the year focused on cooling our households. That’s why, when winter time comes around, many households tend to overlook whether their furnace is ready, or even safe, to turn on.

Investing in a furnace for your home comes with a responsibility: annual maintenance. Taking care of your heater on a yearly basis will help you stay on top of any faults or issues and prevent an emergency in the first place. It’s also important to keep in mind that although you inspect and take regular care of your furnace, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear. Heaters can malfunction due to faults from the manufacturer, so it is worth staying on top of recalls as well.

At John Moore, keeping our customers safe and happy are our top priorities. That’s why we’ve compiled a go-to list of heater warning-signs, recalls, and what you can do to keep your family safe and warm during Houston’s winter season.

Common Warning Signs Your Furnace Should be Replaced

• If your furnace is getting old, it is likely time to listen to the “out with the old, in with the new” saying. Gas furnaces have a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years while electric furnaces have a lifespan of about 20 to 30 years. Once furnaces pass their expiration date, they often lack proper ventilation and their parts become faulty due to corrosion on the metal. In short, the older your furnace is, the higher the chances are of a fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a gas leak.

• If your heating bills are unexpectedly higher than normal, it’s probably time to switch to a more efficient heating system. A properly running furnace doesn’t use as much energy as one that is aging. Pro tip: make sure your furnace filter is clean. A dirty filter can cause your furnace to work double time.

• If you or your family start to hear odd noises coming from your furnace it could mean it’s time for a replacement. Although at times, odd noises can be a quick fix, it is best to reach out to the experts. Abnormal sounds include squealing, humming, rumbling, or even, metal scraping.

• If your home’s air quality begins to change, for example, a decrease in humidity, that could likely mean you have the wrong size furnace for your home. An undersized furnace that is running too much or an oversized furnace that isn’t running enough, could lead to dry air. The same goes for moisture buildup.

• All furnace flames should be blue. If the flame appears to be yellow or orange then your furnace needs to be checked out. The most common type of furnace in households is a gas furnace. If you have one, you can check the cleanliness and stability by simply peeking at the flame.

• Lastly, and most importantly, make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home. If your house has any gas-burning appliance (space heaters, stovetop, furnaces, etc.) then it is required by the City of Houston for your home to have a carbon monoxide detector.

  In a properly working furnace, carbon monoxide is contained within the heat exchange, transferred through the flue pipes, and then safely vented out of your home. A way to avoid a carbon monoxide leak is to ensure your furnace does not develop a crack in the heat exchange or flue pipes; the opening would cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home’s air. In addition to staying on top of leaks, make sure you sign up for annual inspections. If you or a loved one have been potentially exposed to carbon monoxide, it is recommended you visit your nearest emergency room immediately.

  Recalled Furnaces

  Before getting into how and why a specific furnace model can get recalled, it’s important to know more about your furnace. First, let’s talk about location. Your home’s furnace is likely located in one of the following areas of your home: your attic, your garage, or in a utility closet.

  Now that your furnace has been located, let’s go into where to find the serial and model number. Your furnace specifications can be fairly quick and easy to locate by opening the top cover/door of your unit. Once open, you will see a 10-digit code on the inside of the door. This 10-digit code is the serial number. You’ll also see the model number and other specifications that make your furnace unique.

  The following furnace models through Goodman Manufacturing Company by Franklin Electric of Houston, TX have been recalled due to burner and heat exchanger failure:

  • HBA 040 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HBA 060 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HBA 080 ND 4(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HBA 100 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HBA 120 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCA 040 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCA 060 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCA 080 ND 4(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCA 100 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCA 120 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCA 140 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCC 040 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCC 050 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCC 060 ND 4(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCC 075 ND 4(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCC 080 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
  • HCC 100 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC

  Furnaces can get recalled for many reasons. The most important being design flaws, faulty parts, or incorrect installations. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is in charge of notifying the public of any recalls before any issues arise.

  If you are ever curious if a specific furnace model is recalled or if any other household appliances are recalled, visit https://cpsc.gov/Recalls.

  What To Do If You Think You Have A Defective Furnace

  Whether you are positive your furnace is showing one of the signs listed above, or whether you have no idea what model you have, give John Moore a call. Our heating technicians follow a 30-point heating and furnace inspection to ensure your system is in optimal condition.

  A way you can protect your home and be proactive is by scheduling annual furnace inspections. Annual inspections will help you stay on top of any repairs needed, as well as save you money in the long run. Holding off on annual inspections could lead to a heftier bill or, in some unfortunate cases, an emergency situation.

  Any homeowner who is concerned about their furnace, whether their model is on the recall list or not, should call a professional immediately. For us Houstonians, calling on professionals who are familiar with the Houston area weather and up-to-date models is the best bet. Not only will they answer any of your concerns, they’ll be able to repair, replace, and/or inspect your family’s furnace.

  At John Moore, safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. We want to make your life easy, and we encourage all homeowners to stay out of harm’s way by relying on licensed professionals to fix any heating issues in your home. For quality heating professionals, visit John Moore’s Heating webpage to schedule our 30 point inspection or call 713-730-2525 for an estimate.

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