Gas furnaces are one of the most popular types of furnaces among U.S. homeowners and for good reason. They’re efficient and affordable and can help to keep your energy bills down compared to electric furnaces.
However, gas furnaces do come with their own fair share of hazards. From fire to carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s important to know the risks associated with owning a natural gas furnace to keep your home safe and secure.
That being said, here are a few ways you can maintain gas furnace safety while still taking advantage of the benefits of using a natural gas furnace in your home.
Invest in a carbon monoxide detector
Whether or not you own a gas furnace, it’s important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Many household products such as stoves and space heaters can release deadly carbon monoxide gas into your home if they become damaged or if they’re not installed correctly. To maintain gas furnace safety, place your carbon monoxide detector in semi-close proximity to your furnace. You can usually find one at your local hardware store.
Keep the area around your furnace clear
It’s crucial that you don’t store items too close to a gas furnace. Clutter or debris like old boxes or loose paper that’s kept in the area around the furnace can start accidental fires. Remember that your furnace room is meant to remain clear. Don’t keep cleaning products or other combustibles near the furnace, either.
Perform regular maintenance
Maintenance is the best way to detect and repair small problems with your furnace before they become major problems. This is especially true for older model furnaces. Unlike newer model furnaces, which might have sensors that shut down the furnace if a problem has been detected, older model furnaces don’t usually have sensors. That being said, to keep your home safe, make sure that you’re cleaning and have your gas furnace serviced by professional HVAC contractors.
It’s no secret that routine maintenance is a crucial part of keeping your HVAC system in good shape. In fact, an efficient HVAC system requires maintenance inspections at least twice a year.
Contact Spencer Heating and Air
If you have questions about how your heating system is operating, feel free to give us a call or email us at [email protected].
Spencer Heating and Air has served East Alabama’s HVAC needs for more than 50 years, and we’re proud to be Auburn’s HVAC contractor of choice.
