by Kerry L. Thomas

Created on: November 03, 2009

Winter is on its way and soon you may find yourself turning on your heat to break up the damp winter chill. Flipping the thermostat to heat and turning it up is no big deal...or is it? If you are at the point of turning your heat on, then you should be able to answer the following question with little or no hesitation. That very important question would be "are you sure your gas furnace is safe and ready to use"? If you can't answer yes, then you may need to review some gas furnace safety tips and familiarize yourself with what you can do to ensure the safety of your family.

Gas furnaces are an excellent source of heat and can be safe and reliable if they are maintained properly. The absolute overall safety of the system starts with the installation itself. There are three main areas of concern for gas furnaces during the installation process. The furnace must be plumbed to the gas system properly with the appropriate type of piping and connections. The second concern is that the furnace is adequately vented if required and that the system will have adequate air for the combustion process. The third area deals with the required clearance distances from combustible materials...These are simply measurements that must be maintained to keep the furnace from being installed too close to areas that might catch fire.

Once the gas furnace is properly installed, then you fall into the maintenance area which has its own safety concerns. The concept here is to keep your furnace safety equipment operational and in good repair. The piping should be inspected for leaks prior to starting your furnace for the season. The venting system should be inspected to ensure that it is not blocked by bird nests or rodents. People have a tendency to store items around their furnace during the off season. Always make sure that you maintain the minimum clearances around your unit and do not ever store or use flammable liquids near or around a furnace.

The most important thing safety wise is to ensure that the furnace is burning properly. The furnace must have adequate air for combustion or it can produce carbon monoxide which is a deadly gas. It is a good idea to have a professional check the combustion of your furnace every year prior to using it. They should also check your gas lines for leaks and problems. If your furnace has a heat exchanger, then this should be checked to ensure that it is not leaking combustion gases back into the home. Every home that uses gas should have carbon monoxide detectors installed and tested regularly...do this when you test your fire alarms and don't forget to keep fresh batteries in both alarm systems.

Never attempt to light a pilot light yourself if you not absolutely certain what you are doing. Systems that have been turned off for some time can require bleeding the air from the gas lines before the pilot will light. This is true with standing pilot systems or even with auto ignition systems. If you don't fully understand the procedure, then ask for help from a pro.

Every homeowner should learn how to shut off the main gas supply should the need arise. Your gas supplier should be able to show you how to do this. If you notice something wrong with your furnace or smell gas, then get out of the house immediately. Do not flip any light switches on/off as these can arc and ignite the gas if you have a leak. If you can access the main shutoff from outside the home then shut off the gas and call your gas supplier.

Remember that gas furnaces are safe if they are kept that way. Learn to look for and recognize the hazards and always respect the gas furnace.

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