Basic Maintenance Helps Furnace Function Safely
One often-neglected appliance is the furnace--out of sight and out of mind until the cooler months of the year.
But beware, a malfunctioning furnace can be dangerous. Here are the basics for keeping your family safe at home during the winter:
* Keep in mind that gas-fired furnaces work by burning an open flame within the unit. Do not store such flammable items as bags, brooms, mops or rags anywhere near a furnace. Gas appliance flames can flare up upon starting and ignite nearby combustibles.
Of course, gasoline and other flammable liquids should be kept far away from all gas appliances, as fumes emitted from their containers could travel across a room or garage and be ignited by the burners.
* Take a close look at the exhaust ducts that carry hot fumes away from the appliance. Normal shifting and settling of a building, coupled with seismic movement, can cause the exhaust ducts to separate at the connections, allowing hot, poisonous fumes to escape into the home or attic. If you see any open connections, do not use the appliance until the problem is fixed by a licensed technician.
* If your furnace exhaust duct exits your home through the roof, make sure that no tree limbs or vines are growing near the outlet. Hot exhaust fumes could ignite flammable foliage.
* Once a year inspect the exhaust duct and cap on the roof. Make sure the cap is securely affixed and free of such obstructions as leaves and webs. If the cap is loose or missing, get it fixed or replaced to keep debris and rain water out, and to keep birds or small animals from nesting in the open duct.
* If you have a wood shake roof, make sure the exhaust duct extends at least 18 inches above the surface. Hot gases can possibly ignite the wood shakes or debris lodged near the base of the duct, if its height is too low. Have a contractor correct this condition if needed.
* Keep your filter clean. Change or clean the filter at least once a year and more if it appears dirty or if your air-conditioning system draws room air through the same ductwork. A dirty filter restricts air flow to the registers, which increases operating costs and leads to dust buildup in the ductwork. This reduces efficiency and can lead to mold and fungus growth.
* Once a year, use a vacuum cleaner hose with an open nozzle to remove any accumulated dust from inside the burner area. First unplug the furnace, then carefully remove the protective grill from the front of the unit to access the inner surfaces. Use only gentle pressure against wires and fittings to avoid damaging them.
* Contact the gas company for information about free safety checks of gas appliances. Be sure to specify that you want to check for proper venting of poisonous fumes as well as general safety because faulty venting is a known cause of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Install a carbon monoxide alarm as an extra safety measure.
Lastly but possibly most importantly, never light a charcoal barbecue or unvented propane or kerosene heater inside the house to warm a room. These devices put out deadly carbon monoxide gas that can kill.
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Gary Abrams is a general contractor who has written about home improvement for The Times for 10 years. Comments and questions can be sent to him at thehomedoc @aol.com.
