Concerns about the safety of natural gas furnaces are common. We often have customers ask us if it’s really safe to have a natural gas furnace in their home.
The first thing we tell people is that gas furnaces are the most common type of heating system found across the U.S. If furnaces had any type of bad safety record, they wouldn’t be allowed so extensively into homes. The manufacturers of modern gas furnaces are required to design their systems with numerous safety features and to meet many national, state, and local requirements. When you see the ENERGY STAR label on a furnace, it not only means the furnace meets the standards for energy conservation, but it was also built to meet demanding safety standards.
The end of the heating season is often a rough one. March and April can throw some of the coldest days of the year at us, and you can expect to see higher utility bills until the spring thaw finally sets in for keeps. But you’re probably paying too much for your heating—there are many small mistakes or tasks you may forget that will raise energy use and your bills.
Your heating system is working just fine, for the most part. When you set the temperature on the thermostat, the furnace turns on and heat comes out of the vents. What more could you ask for? And why would you feel the need to schedule service for a furnace that is, for the most part, running smoothly?
Most people associate a filter with one important thing: air quality. Filters keep dust from blowing around the home. More importantly to many people, it picks up allergens like pollen and pet dander, and may even stop the circulation of some germs that could make you ill.
When you hear the furnace power on, do you know exactly what goes on to bring that heat to you? You likely know the basics: that heat is generated by an ignition system and that a fan then blows heated air into your home.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are a modern innovation, so we rarely think of the safety risks sometimes associated with them. Today’s heating systems are safer than ever before, but there are still injuries and even deaths associated with them each year. Caring for your heating system, along with knowing the risks, can help you avoid them.
The heater has just started up again, and you’ve got a problem. There seems to be a smell coming directly from the vents. This can be a scary situation. Of course, if you have any cause to believe it’s a gas leak, you should turn off the system ASAP. Otherwise, the urgency of the issue can range quite a bit.