Natural gas furnaces are the most common type of furnace in the United States, and there is no doubt that they provide quick, warm heat to your home even in the harshest Minnesota winter weather.
However, many people worry about their safety.
Here are a few wintertime gas furnace safety tips to help keep your family safe and your home toasty warm.
1. Follow a Regular Maintenance Schedule
At least once a year, a natural gas furnace requires a complete check and tune-up by a licensed HVAC service technician.
We recommend that you book yours well before the cold weather hits, as we get very busy as the temperature drops.
2. Maintain a Clutter Free Zone
It goes without saying, but always keep the area around the furnace unit’s cabinet clutter free.
Also keep any combustible materials well away from the furnace’s exhaust vent.
3. Change the Furnace’s Filter
Furnace filters become clogged with dirt and debris over time, and without adequate airflow to the furnace, the unit can start to overheat.
Overheating not only poses a fire risk but also may shorten the lifespan of your furnace.
You should check the furnace filter once a month, and replace the filter if it is dirty. In our experience, the filter will normally require changing every three months.
4. CO Detectors
The biggest safety danger that a gas furnace poses is the buildup of carbon dioxide inside the home.
Although such an occurrence is rare, especially with newer furnaces, it is important to make sure your home has CO detectors located in every room of the residence.
A CO detector will alert you if there is a rise in carbon dioxide in the house.
Conclusion
Please contact the heating experts at Metro Heating & Cooling to schedule a complete maintenance on your home’s gas furnace. Our HVAC professionals are here to answer all of your furnace questions.
We cover Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Eagan, Edina, Hastings, Maplewood, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Roseville, North Saint Paul, Saint Paul, Saint Paul Park, South Saint Paul, Stillwater, West Lakeland, West Saint Paul, White Bear Lake, Woodbury, and many more locations.
Can’t find your town listed? Contact us at (651) 294-7798 to tell us where you live, so we can help you with your gas furnace safety.
