Every time fall rolls around, it’s important for us to talk about the benefits, the problems, and the safety of a furnace. So many homeowners in our area and in counties across the country benefit from natural gas-powered furnaces, so think of this like a yearly PSA that helps to keep you and your family safe and cozy.
There’s nothing wrong with furnaces when compared to other heating systems. Even though a few homeowners tend to use electric heating systems because gas furnaces make them nervous, we assure you that gas furnaces have been safely utilized in homes for generations without any real problems.
The only problems that a gas furnace can deal with come from neglect. If you need furnace repair in Thousand Oaks, CA then be sure to call for it as quickly as possible. Only a trained technician can get to the bottom of it and keep your home safe.
The Essentials of Furnace Safety
Look, we’re not going to beat around the bush. There are some things to keep in mind if you’re going to be a responsible furnace user, and we’d like to be clear about what those things are. Neglect is the most common cause for problems that have to do with safety, so avoiding this outcome can be done by some preliminary checks. Keep in mind that most HVAC professionals will provide an affordable safety check on your furnace if you have any other questions about how safe your system is running.
Noises
Your furnace should run rather smoothly. If there’s a hiccup or a bump in the process, it can signify something jostling the system or disrupting the heating process. While the chance is low, something could happen to the heat exchanger, which is the component responsible for transferring heat from the combustion chamber to the fresh air. This could lead to a gas or carbon monoxide leak. Avoid this by keeping your ears peeled for any noises that your furnace makes.
Smells
Use your nose! Smelling gas can be the first sign to some homeowners that notice something is wrong. If you smell anything odd, from burning rubber scents to the smell of gas or smoke, then make sure you shut your system off and call for help. Furnaces are not supposed to smell like anything when they run, so be aware that there could potentially be a problem.
Pilot Light
A pilot light is supposed to burn with a blue color to signify the controlled burn. When the flame turns orange, yellow, or red, this could signify too much oxygen entering the combustion chamber or leaking gas and carbon monoxide that’s exiting the system. Don’t worry too much about what these colors mean, just make sure you’ve got a trained professional available to look at it.
Detectors, Detectors, Detectors!
Carbon monoxide is virtually undetectable by our normal senses. It’s odorless, colorless, and basically feels like regular air. That’s why it’s absolutely vital that you have CO detectors placed in strategic locations throughout your home if you are a furnace owner. With these, you can safely sleep at night knowing that your home is protected accordingly.
Call JMS Air Conditioning and Heating today to have a safety check performed on your furnace!
