Why Homeowners Should Be Concerned About Flame Rollout
Flame rollout in a furnace can cause overheating and system failure, potentially leading to a house fire. A cracked heat exchanger poses immediate danger due to potential carbon monoxide leaks, which are lethal.
Proper maintenance for a healthy furnace significantly reduces safety concerns. However, if routine furnace maintenance is neglected, the system is older, or odd sounds or issues with the furnace are noticed, there is a serious risk of something going wrong. Flame rollout is one such concern.
Flame rollouts sound alarming, and indeed, a home is at risk if one occurs. Many homeowners have not heard about flame rollouts and may not even know they are happening. This blog explains what a flame rollout is and how to prevent danger caused by it in a furnace.
What Is Flame Rollout?
Flame rollout occurs when flames exit the combustion chamber of the furnace. Rollout is caused by the combination of gasses and flames present when the furnace is in operation. When the furnace is on, flames ignite and are meant to remain inside the combustion chamber. In some cases, non-flammable gasses will build inside the chamber, preventing oxygen from getting to the flames.
The buildup of gasses is largely due to the accumulation of soot, which prevents the gasses from leaving the chamber. As these non-flammable gasses build, they block the flame from the oxygen it requires. When oxygen cannot reach the flame, the fire has to work harder and get bigger to get oxygen. When the flames get too large, they exit the combustion chamber.
Another possible cause of flame rollouts is a blocked flue pipe. The gasses cannot escape outside when the flue pipe is clogged, leaving the gasses to remain inside the chamber. Gas buildup can also occur when there is a crack in the heat exchanger.
What Are the Signs of Flame Rollout?
There are some signature signs to look for if flame rollout is suspected. The easiest sign to look for is evidence of burns or discoloration outside of the furnace combustion chamber. Watching the furnace and hoping to see the rollout happen with one's own eyes is another method.
What Dangers Exist With Flame Rollout?
A flame rollout inside a furnace poses many risks to the HVAC system and the home. If flame rollout occurs outside of the combustion chamber, the interior components of the rest of the furnace will overheat. Furnaces are only designed to take so much heat, and the system can completely fail if it gets too hot. The entire system could catch fire in extreme circumstances, resulting in severe damage to the entire home.
If the flame rollout is due to a cracked heat exchanger, immediate danger to the family could occur. A cracked heat exchanger may lead to a carbon monoxide leak, which is deadly.
How to Prevent Flame Rollout
A flame rollout switch is a safety component that detects when a flame rollout happens. The switch blocks the supply of gas to the furnace when the temperature outside the combustion chamber surpasses a specific level.
However, the best way to prevent the risk of a flame rollout in the first place is regular and routine HVAC and furnace maintenance. The entire system should be inspected at least annually. Some professionals recommend bi-annual inspections, typically just before major weather changes. Regular inspection will catch any potential issues before they occur.
Fix My Air DFW of Fort Worth specializes in residential and commercial HVAC services, including routine maintenance, installation, and repair. All makes/models. Call us at (817)839-3511.
