Natural gas is a safe and affordable way to keep your home warm during the winter. However, a faulty gas furnace is very dangerous and can lead to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning, among other hazards. Here are safety tips for your gas furnace.

Have an HVAC Professional Check Your Furnace

Having an HVAC professional check your furnace at least once a year is one of the most important safety tips. A professional can locate and fix problems that a layperson would overlook. This prevents these problems from worsening to the point where they’re life-threatening.

Regularly Change the Filter

Like other filters in your home, the filter in your HVAC system needs to be changed or cleaned regularly. Your furnace filter is probably right inside its front door. A dirty filter makes your furnace less efficient, and that usually means higher energy bills.

Keep the Area Clear

Another safety tip is to keep the area around your furnace clear. The furnace needs a good flow of air, and clutter hampers it. A clear space also removes the risk of overheating, fires, and the accumulation of carbon monoxide. A good rule of thumb is to clear a 3-foot radius around your furnace.

Invest in a Carbon Monoxide Detector

A carbon monoxide detector alerts you to the presence of carbon monoxide in the air before it rises to dangerous levels. Consult with your HVAC professional about installing one.

Make Sure the Burner Area Stays Clean

The burner area around your furnace should also be kept clean. To really clean this area, you’ll need to turn off the power at the source and turn off the gas. It might be best to leave this job to an HVAC professional during their annual visit since they can also clean the blower, fan motor and furnace coils.

Secure the Front Panel Door

Never run your gas furnace without the front panel door properly shut. This puts your home at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Newer furnaces won’t turn on if the door isn’t closed properly, but if you have an older furnace, it might not have this feature.

Keep Flammable Materials Away From the Furnace

Your furnace should have a 3-foot clearance around it anyway, but it’s especially important to keep flammable materials, such as gasoline and oil, well away from your furnace.

Keep Most of the Registers Open While the Furnace Is Working

Closing all of the registers in your home while your furnace is working can cause it to overheat. HVAC professionals recommend not closing more than a fifth of the registers in your home. For example, if you have 10 registers, keep at least eight of them open.

Furnace safety is not something to take lightly. Regular maintenance, proper usage, and attention to warning signs all play a critical role in keeping serious hazards at bay. When in doubt, working with a licensed and experienced HVAC professional is the best way to make certain that your system operates safely. If you have concerns or require furnace replacement services, contact Sky Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical in Tualatin, OR.