Are furnaces safe?
That’s a really good question, not because it’s hard to answer, but it gets at a fundamental way that homeowners think. Many HVAC customers, when investing in a new system, believe that gas furnaces are dangerous which is why they end up going with electric furnaces or some other kind of system. We understand where this sentiment comes from, and we’re not here to talk poorly about electric furnaces (they’re a great option too), but we want to help clear the air a little bit on gas furnaces.
Gas-powered furnaces are a safe and reliable source of heating in Rio Rancho, NM. While they can become dangerous through neglect and problems down the line, they aren’t inherently dangerous. Follow along for our safety checklist to ensure that your gas furnace is in great shape each and every year!
Step 1: Schedule Maintenance
We’re going to be straight with you, there’s not much you can do without the steady hand of a trained professional when it comes to furnace safety and maintenance. The following steps will certainly help, and they might give you better peace of mind knowing that your system is in good shape, but the truth is that something sinister could be going on under the hood of your system.
A professional that provides maintenance can thoroughly inspect your system and give you a bill of clean health to move forward. This is the true value of a safety inspection, and it’s something that we advise all of our customers to invest in once a year.
Step 2: Call for Repairs If Something Is Wrong
Do you remember that problem you were dealing with last heating season? It likely never went away. In fact, it probably got worse over time and through exposure to dust and debris from sitting unattended in your basement.
Contact a professional to have your furnace repaired if you know there’s a problem. This will make it safer and likely improve it’s operating performance.
Step 3: Change the Air Filter
When was the last time you changed the air filter in your furnace system? If the answer to that question is either more than 3 months ago, or you don’t know, then we advise you to change the filter.
This will improve airflow into the system, making your furnace run at peak performance, efficiency, and will likely keep it from overheating. This is a big safety improvement.
Step 4: Clean Around Your System
It’s a good idea to keep in mind that your gas furnace is burning fuel through combustion. While it might just look like a big metal box in your basement, it’s still a fire hazard if you’re keeping flammable materials stacked on top of it or within two feet of it.
Go through the area and clean enough space to ensure that nothing is too close for comfort!
Step 5: Remain Vigilant!
The work doesn’t stop here! Pay attention to your gas furnace throughout the time that it’s operating. If you notice anything weird, be sure to call for help. Noises, smells, and overall discomfort could be a sign that something is wrong with your heater and it needs to be repaired.