Is Your Gas Furnace Safe?

Posted by Rick Welter

Oct 12

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A gas furnace that is not operating at peak performance can be costly to run and can result in unsafe levels of carbon monoxide—an odorless, colorless byproduct of all gas furnaces that can cause flu-like symptoms, disorientation, confusion, and even death.

It is highly recommended that you have your furnace cleaned and checked every year—the older the furnace, the more important this service is. Newer gas furnaces are equipped with many features that shut the furnace off when a problem is detected. However, older furnaces have no such devices. Over time, furnaces can develop small cracks in the combustion chamber that may not be visible to the naked eye. It is through these cracks that carbon monoxide can leak into your home.

For your family’s safety and energy-efficient operation that will save you money, Welter Heating offers a comprehensive Furnace Clean & Safety Check-Up. For just $99, a fully trained professional from Welter Heating will perform the following services on your home heating system:

• Clean and check thermostat
• Clean and check furnace filters, replace if necessary*
• Clean blower and check for blower noise
• Check for duct noise
• Clean draft inducer motor and check for noise
• Clean and secure furnace hose
• Clean and check furnace cabinet, top, and blower compartment
• Clean top of water heater
• Clean and check furnace and water heater venting
• Clean and check humidifier pad and drain hose, replace if necessary*

Additional Clean & Safety Check Services

• Test carbon monoxide detector, if present (see safety tip below)
• Check air-to-air exchanger operation, if present
• Clean and check air-to-air exchanger filters, if present
• Clean and check air-to-air connections for secure seal, if present
• Clean and check air-to-air intake hood, if present; replace if necessary*
• Clean and check outside air-to-air intake hood, if present
• Clean and check outside flue termination

Safety Tip
For year-round protection from the potentially deadly effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, the professionals at Welter Heating recommend you install a carbon monoxide detector near your sleeping area and a second near the furnace area. At least one of these carbon monoxide detectors should be battery powered.

Fall and winter months also see many residents warming their cars prior to driving—often in the garage or immediately outside the garage with the garage door open. These are dangerous practices and can put lethal amounts of carbon monoxide inside your home in a matter of minutes.

Give us a call at 612.825.6867 and ask for service to schedule your Furnace Clean & Safety Check-Up this fall.

*Parts, if necessary, are provided at an additional cost