How Safe Is Your Gas Furnace

Properly installed natural gas furnaces with external venting systems will cause no indoor pollution when properl maintained. However faults in the system such as a a blocked flue, cracks in any pipes or an improperly adjusted burner may result in problems which may be serious due to leakage of gas or exhaust gases inside the home.Another possible but relatively uinlikely cause of indoor air pollution is lower air pressure inside the home than outside. In such a case the furnace could create indoor air pollution of a serious nature. If there is reason to believe that there may be incomplete combustion or leakage from a a gas furnace or any of the gas pipes or exhaust system call either your local utility company or a contractor and have tests for carbon monoxide levels in the home done.A carbon monoxide (CO2) detector should be in place in the home and is relatively cheap to buy and simple to install. CO2 detectors save lives just as smoke detectors do and are just as important in any home.

There are several steps you can take to improve gas furnace safety in your home. If your gas furnace is an older model you should, install an induced-draft fan to reduces the likelihood of backdraft. You can also have an automatic shutoff installed which turns off the furnace if a backdraft occurs.If your furnace is 20 or more years old it is due for replacement and should look at replacing it with a new high efficiency furnace.Old furnaces can become more dangerous due to development of leaks simply resulting from age, corrosion and wear.

When you decide to install a new high efficiency gas furnace, it is best to choose one of the more efficient models which draws air from outside the home into the combustion chamber.

Every year in the fall before starting up the furnace it should be given annual maintenance by a qualified technician and you should inspect the chimney and exhaust system to see that it is clear and not blocked by such things as leaves, birds nests or debris of any kind. Inspect all metal pipes for holes or loose joints look for are holes or open joints in the metal pipe. Common obstructions obstructions may be heavy soot build up,birds nests or loose masonry pieces in the chimney.

There should be a separate flue for every combustioon appliance. Chimneys are quite commonly partially blocked due to the venting of a wood or coal stove  into the same flue as the furnace. If this common flue becomes partially or completely blocked gases from both the furnace and the stove could vent into the house. The motto is--don't do it!