A Wisconsin renter concerned about rust inside an aging furnace turned to Reddit's r/AskHVAC community for advice about their family's safety.
The discussion offered some reassurance, but commenters also raised questions the video alone couldn't answer.
Here's what to know
In the Reddit thread, the original poster attached a short clip of their furnace and asked the forum, "Is my 2007 Carrier furnace a danger to me or my children?"
The OP added, "Apparently, the heat-exchanger on this furnace can rust, form holes and leak CO and other nasty chemicals into home air. The HVAC tech who my landlord called out took this video."
(Click here if the embedded video does not appear.)
After sharing the video, OP asked the community, "Does this 2007 Carrier furnace seem like a CO risk? If so, how can I get my landlord to replace it if the company won't condemn it?"
Responses were mixed. Several commenters saw no obvious reason to condemn the heat exchanger, while others noted possible deterioration or called for additional testing. None of those assessments, however, replace an on-site inspection.
The top comment read, "as a protector of your family, your head's in the right place, however this heat exchanger is nothing to worry about. For peace of mind, I would have a few CO monitors around the house."
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Another user wrote, "That corrosion is a sign of that secondary failing. Carrier actually had a class action lawsuit over it. I'd bet dollars to dimes it's a single door carrier… The lawsuit was for 02-09."
A third commenter acknowledged that it wasn't clear, explaining, "Can't exactly see very well in the video provided, but it doesn't look all that bad. A few spots almost seem like cracks and would want a closer look."
Rather than replace a 2007 furnace, the landlord opted to add a Defender carbon monoxide monitor after their HVAC contractor declined to declare the unit unsafe.
For homeowners considering replacement, upgrading heating and cooling is one of the best ways to save on utility bills, protect against rising energy prices, and address safety concerns.
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For homeowners not ready to spend up front, Palmetto's Comfort Plan includes $0-down HVAC subscription options that can lower heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. Palmetto Comfort Plans also include 12 years of free maintenance. However, replacement decisions are up to the homeowner, not the renter.
Where can I learn more?
Other renters and homeowners have questioned whether their heating equipment is safe.
• A college renter feared a furnace gas leak, while their landlord insisted the setup was safe.
• A UK tenant noticed black soot above a boiler after a headache, raising carbon monoxide concerns.
• A Philadelphia homeowner received a $4,900 furnace quote after CO testing, but technicians urged further checks.
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