Your furnace is arguably the most important appliance in your home. It keeps you warm and comfortable through the cold winters. Like other complex systems, however, furnaces require regular maintenance and care. Ignoring small issues or routine repairs can lead to much more significant and costly problems down the line. When you keep putting off calling the furnace repair company, you actually put your comfort, safety, and wallet at risk.

According to the United States Energy Information Administration, in the winter months, most households in the country use one of three types of equipment as their main source of heat. This includes natural gas furnaces, electric furnaces, or electric heat pumps. Let's take a closer look at what could happen if you ignore repairs for your furnace.

1. The Furnace Stops Working Altogether

If you ignore minor furnace repairs, all those small issues can compound and eventually cause the system to stop working altogether. It may start with things like neglected replacement filters causing the blower motor to strain. Then, fan belts can start slipping and burners get clogged. Before you know it, your furnace won't be producing much heat at all on a freezing winter night.

When your system finally stops working due to ignored maintenance, you'll now face a much bigger repair bill. Something that could have been prevented with regular upkeep and a quick fix of $80 to $250, according to our team, can now turn into an emergency replacement costing $4,000 or more! Additionally, you'll have to go without heat in the depths of winter, which puts your pipes in danger of freezing and bursting. This can snowball into issues with water damage, mold, and other dangers and expenses. Protect your investment and comfort by calling the furnace repair company at the first signs of issues each year.

2. You Compromise Indoor Air Quality

Ignoring things like worn-out air filters or a faulty blower motor doesn't just impact the functionality of your furnace. It also seriously compromises the indoor air quality in your home. Dirty filters let more dust, pet dander, mold spores, and other allergens recirculate through your ductwork and into the air your family breathes. Kids, seniors, and those with respiratory issues can be especially vulnerable to poor indoor air quality triggering issues like asthma attacks. Replacing filters and having ducts properly cleaned by a reputable furnace repair company helps ensure your HVAC system circulates clean, breathable air.

3. Dangerous Carbon Monoxide Builds Up

Putting off furnace repairs also poses the scary risk of carbon monoxide buildup in your home. If a crack develops in the heat exchanger or exhaust pipe, toxic CO gases can leak into the air rather than venting outside properly. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms before leading to unconsciousness, brain damage, or even death. An annual maintenance check by your furnace repair company includes inspection for potential carbon monoxide leaks to prevent this colorless, odorless, and deadly threat to you and your loved ones.

4. Your Energy Bills Skyrocket

You'll also pay the price for neglected furnace maintenance with much higher heating bills as your system operates far less efficiently. Issues like dirty filters, vent blockages, and faulty thermostats mean your furnace has to work much harder fighting these problems trying to warm your home. Not only does this lead to higher electric or gas usage, but it shortens the operating lifespan of your HVAC components, causing the need for costly repairs or full unit replacement years earlier than with proper care. Stay ahead of problems through routine furnace check-ups to keep costs down.

5. Possible Fire Hazard

Faulty electrical connections, corrosion buildup, and undetected gas leaks are all possible fire hazards associated with an improperly maintained furnace. Smoke detectors and fire alarms help minimize risk, but why chance it when something as simple as an annual furnace inspection can catch issues early? Let the furnace repair company check for concerning hot spots, corroded control valves, and loose fuel lines. They'll also inspect all critical safety features, so you don't have to stress about your furnace accidentally igniting.

While no one likes surprise home repair bills, putting off necessary furnace maintenance is a true risk. Stay proactive by setting annual check-ups before each heating season and addressing minor issues promptly as they arise. Invest that small bit of time and money upfront with your quality furnace repair company rather than face exponentially bigger risks to your comfort, health, safety, and wallet over time. If you need to have your furnace repaired, we're here to help. Call our team at Shanks Heating & Cooling today to schedule an appointment.