The most common kind of heating system in homes is the gas furnace. Here in Minnesota, where we endure some incredibly tough winter weather every season, gas furnaces are especially popular because of their immense heating power.
However, a gas furnace comes with a caveat: without proper care and precautions, it can become hazardous. To avoid combustion dangers and carbon monoxide leaks from your gas furnace, there are a number of steps to take.
Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up
This is the critical part of keeping a furnace safe each and every winter. A regular heating maintenance visit from an HVAC professional includes a complete inspection of the furnace to locate areas where it may pose safety problems, such as a cracked heat exchanger or blocked flue. Routine maintenance helps a furnace in many ways, but nothing is more important than seeing that it works safely.
Change the Air Filter Regularly
The air filter for your furnace probably also serves the air conditioner, and it has likely developed thick build-up of dust and debris over the summer. If the furnace goes to work with a clogged filter, it can quickly lead to the system overheating. Change the filter for a new one before the furnace goes to work—and change it every month throughout the winter.
Keep the Furnace Cabinet Clear
Do not store objects around the furnace cabinet or in contact with it. Make sure there is at least a foot of clearance on all sides to avoid combustion hazards. It’s especially important not to store paint or fuel or any other flammable material in proximity to the furnace.
In addition to these steps for making a furnace run safer, you should also have carbon monoxide detectors placed around your home. These are inexpensive but provide an invaluable defense against a rise in carbon monoxide, warning you when to leave your house and call for assistance.
Freedom Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Minneapolis, MN. Join our Freedom Club to arrange for the heating and cooling maintenance you need each year.