The short answer is “yes.” But we don’t want you to panic about your gas furnace right away. The truth is that any appliance that burns natural gas has the potential to turn hazardous because of escaping flames, external combustion, and leaks of toxic gas. Because a furnace is usually the most powerful gas appliance in any home, it gets the most attention as a possible danger.
We want to reassure you that your gas furnace isn’t an inherent threat to your house. Modern furnace manufacturers build their products to exact specifications and include numerous safety features.
Still, it’s important to caution people about ways furnaces can create hazards and the best ways to avoid them. With the right furnace service from professionals, you should be able to enjoy your furnace’s warmth in safety for many years.
Maintenance Is the Most Important Step
Nothing protects your home better from a furnace malfunction than annual fall maintenance. Although you can do a few maintenance steps on your own, such as changing the air filter and making sure the vents are all open, you’ll need trained professionals to do the full maintenance. Our technicians offer this service, and we recommend having it done each year before winter arrives. During maintenance, we’ll inspect the furnace to see that it’s working properly and no hazards are emerging. We’ll conduct a combustion test to see if there are any gas leaks. A tune-up and cleaning will also help the furnace work safely.
Never Delay When You Need Repairs
Another way to avoid furnace hazards is to call for prompt furnace repair in Fairfax, VA when you notice anything wrong with how your furnace is working. Even if the problem doesn’t seem to be altering the furnace’s heating output, issues such as strange noises and odors can indicate serious issues that will worsen and may be dangerous. We recommend you shut off the furnace first and then call us to investigate and see what needs to be fixed.
Do Not Attempt to Repair Your Furnace Yourself
One of the easiest ways for a gas furnace to become dangerous is from amateur tampering. In most jurisdictions, it’s illegal for anyone without proper credentials to work on an appliance connected to a gas main. Opening up a furnace and tinkering around inside it risks creating gas leaks and combustion hazards. Please leave any repairs to our professionals to avoid making the furnace situation worse and harming yourself or your family.
Replace Extremely Old Furnaces
A gas furnace wears down over time, even with the best routine maintenance. The effects of combustion gas on the metal components can lead to rust and cracks on the heat exchanger, which is one of the major dangers in a gas furnace because it can allow carbon monoxide to enter into the air blown through the house. Our technicians can tell you during maintenance if your furnace is getting too old (15–20 years) and at higher risk of major safety hazards.
Call B&B Air Conditioning & Heating Service if you have any questions about your furnace or want to schedule service for it. We are always there when you need us.