Broken Arrow will soon be exposed to the cold weather of winter. This means that you will be depending more and more on your furnace to keep you and your family warm and comfortable. However, because you will be using your furnace much more this winter, you should be sure to keep in mind these gas furnace safety tips.
Carbon monoxide (CO) detector – All gas furnaces produce a small amount of CO that is relatively harmless. However, if the furnace is not properly functioning, or your home is not being ventilated properly, CO could build up to a dangerous level. A CO detector is necessary due to the fact that CO is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas.
Gas meter and shutoff valve – Your gas meter and the incoming shutoff valve should both be easily accessible. It should be easy for you to turn off the gas in case something goes wrong, as this could prevent a real emergency. Make sure it is not covered so that it is easily accessible by gas utility technicians.
Check for gas leaks – Gas leaks are usually easy to find. You can usually smell it if there is a gas leak, not to mention the fact that you’ll be able to see the gas build up on the floor around the furnace.
Keep the furnace clean – Keep the area around your furnace clean and clear. Do not place anything flammable nearby. Also, make sure to change the filter on a regular basis. A dirty filter will make the airflow much less efficient and result in the furnace working much harder than it should.
Professional inspection – Have a professional technician inspect your furnace. He or she will be able to do a thorough job cleaning all the components as well as checking for any damages that need to be repaired.
Keeping warm during the winter is important, but so is keeping in mind these gas furnace safety tips. For more information about your furnace, contact Air Assurance Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide Broken Arrow with the best HVAC service available.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock