Are you about to move into a new home that will have a gas furnace? Perhaps your builder gave you numerous benefits that gas furnaces offer in comparison to electric furnaces. However, you may still have concerns if you have never operated a gas furnace. You may have concerns due to the fact that gas furnaces are powered by natural gas. The following are a few points that can minimize your chances of you having a natural gas emergency that is related to your furnace. 

Maintenance and Installation

The most important thing you should do is ensure that your gas furnace is installed by a licensed HVAC contractor. All furnaces need to be serviced to ensure that they perform at peak efficiency. However, getting your gas furnace serviced is important due to the risk of a gas leak occurring if parts of the furnace malfunction and need to be repaired. This is something that can occur when furnaces have not be used for months. Some modern furnaces have safety features that cause them not to work if issues such as gas leaks or potential fire hazards are detected. Changing your filters regularly is one way to avoid a potential fire hazard.

Understand Signs of Gas Emergencies

The smell of gas is one sign that your furnace may have a gas leak. However, if your home will have other gas appliances such as a stove, another appliance might be the culprit.The best approach to ensuring your safety would be to leave your home until an HVAC contractor or gas company representative can inspect the premises. Natural gas is combustible, which means an explosion could occur and also impact your neighbors. This is why you should report the smell immediately. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous odorless and colorless gas that can be produced when a gas leak is present. You might experience headaches, sleepiness, and nausea for no apparent reason if you have a carbon monoxide leak. Installing carbon monoxide detectors near all gas appliances can aid in protecting you and your family from the fatal possibilities of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Maintaining a Debris-Free Area

One of the best ways to reduce the chances of carbon monoxide leeching from your new gas furnace is to ensure that you keep the area around your furnace free from debris. If the furnace will be located in a closet, do not store any items in the closet. Storing items or allowing trash to settle in the area where your furnace is located can also result in a tragic fire. 

For additional information on gas furnaces, contact a company like Glendale Heating & Air Conditioning.