The use of natural gas furnaces in the United States is widespread. Natural gas is effective and economical to operate, especially when contrasted to electric heaters. In colder environments, they’re much more efficient than electric furnaces. But there are some dangers linked with having a gas furnace, from fire to carbon monoxide poisoning. And while the risks are low, accidents do happen. We at Huber Heights Heating & Cooling compiled the following gas furnace safety tips to keep you and your family safe through the winter.
1. GIVE IT SPACE
As a general rule, the least distance around a furnace should be about two feet. Anything flammable, like lint, dust, papers, paint, rags, clothing, boxes, and more, should be stored even farther away. Use a vacuum cleaner at least once per month to remove lint and dust from your furnace area to prevent any accumulation. Be sure to seal any liquids in the room airtight, and try to avoid having any flammable chemicals in that room. And, as a rule, your furnace room should be off-limits to the children. Furnace fire safety begins with a sharp eye, so perpetually look for the hidden dangers that could be sitting right beside your furnace.
2. REPLACE AIR FILTERS
It can be easy to overlook the need to change your furnace filters regularly. However, it’s also risky. Not only does it reduce the quality of air in your home, but also it makes your furnace work harder, which increases energy costs. To avoid needless stress on your system that could cause additional problems later on, be sure to replace your furnace’s filter at least every one to three months. During the winter months, you should increase the rotation to avoid the risk of a breakdown, which no one wants to deal with during the winter.
3. TAKE EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS
Heat is a glorious thing during winter — unless it is the event of a furnace fire. To protect your family from the dangers of a house fire, ensure that smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are functioning. Put them in the same room as your furnace. Also, be sure to replace your detector’s batteries on an annual basis. It’s the same for carbon monoxide detectors. A furnace malfunction can release deadly carbon monoxide, so it’s essential to have a fully-charged indicator for that closeby as well. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, so never rely on your sense of smell to recognize problems near the furnace. On the other hand, natural gas has a rotten egg smell added to it for detection purposes. Be sure to know the signs of a leak and of poisoning have emergency evacuation plans and know where your master gas shut-off valve is located. If you smell gas, do not turn on any lights or do anything that could ignite it.
4. ENSURE AIRFLOW
When snow piles up, it can provoke your gas furnace to shut down. That’s because the snow can block two essential parts of your home comfort system — the exterior air intake and exhaust from your gas furnace. The most reliable way to keep air moving evenly throughout your home is to complete a visual examination of these areas after an unusual snowfall to look for any obstructions. Clearing out these areas when your furnace stalls will result in less strain on the system and extend its service life. Also, make sure at least 80 percent of registers in your home are open so air can flow freely inside.
5. GET REGULAR MAINTENANCE
When it comes to furnaces, it’ll always save you money to be more proactive than reactive. Don’t skimp on the maintenance. Have a professional examine your furnace annually for all these reasons and more. Because when something goes wrong, and a furnace breaks down, a repair or replacement is no longer a choice. It’s an expensive requirement. And no one wants to deal with that in the cold of winter. Proper maintenance makes sure your furnace will adequately function when temperatures plummet.
Gas furnaces are machines, and machines can break down and cause real harm without the right precautions.
For an appointment with one of our friendly service technicians, call Huber Heights Heating & Cooling today at 937-226-9675, or schedule an appointment now at www.huberheightsheatingandcooling.com/schedule-now/.
