Operate Your High Efficiency Gas Furnace Safely

Natural gas furnaces are very safe but you must maintain a regular maintenance schedule.

Natural gas furnaces have been in common use for many years and have proven to very safe. However problems can occur and when they do it is often due to lack of regular maintenance of the gas furnace.

Every gas furnace should have an annual inspection and maintenance performed before the start of the heating season. Prior to turning the furnace on a qualified service contractor should perform routine maintenance work. All pipes should be inspected for leaks, holes or loose joints. The chimney flue should be checked to ensure that it is not partially or completely blocked by foreign materials.

Soot buildup can partially block a flue as can leaves, birds nests or loose pieces of masonry. The flue must be cleaned out to permit free passage of exhaust gases from the furnace. It is not a good idea to vent wood or coal stoves into the same flue as your furnace uses. If this is done any blockage of the flue or backdraft can push gases from the stove as well as the furnace into the home creating a very dangerous situation.

Exhaust gases contain CO2 (carbon monoxide) which is a deadly poison. It is essential to have a CO2 monitor installed in your home. They are available everywhere and are relatively cheap and simple to install. Many lives have been saved by CO2 monitors.

Maintaining your high efficiency furnace in safe operating condition is largely a matter of common sense.For instance furnace air filters should be inspected every 30 days and replaced or cleaned as necessary. For more information go to gas furnace prices or to high efficiency furnaces

High Efficiency Gas Furnace