Gas furnaces are among the most popular because they are efficient, gas is an affordable fuel source, and they work reliably as they are extremely effective. However, gas furnaces do have their drawbacks, as with anything else. As an understandable fear about having a gas-burning appliance in the home, people are hesitant with gas furnaces due to the carbon monoxide fatalities. When gas-burning appliances start to leak gas, fires are a reality in our world as well. There is little worry however, as long as you properly take care of your gas furnace and routinely have professional maintenance scheduled. Today, we at Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning would like to discuss the furnace leaking gas.

Furnace Smells like Rotten Eggs

Because they could potentially leak gas, many homeowners get nervous about their gas furnaces. For a variety of reasons, this is extremely rare. Due to a chemical that’s added to natural gas called mercaptan, which is responsible for the “rotten egg” smell that comes from this gaseous material is the primarily first reason. Because it makes it easier for you to detect when it’s leaking, this is artificially added to the gas. You can be certain it’s leaking, and you can call for help if you’re walking around your furnace and you get a bad “rotten-egg” odor coming from the system.

Bad Furnace Flame Sensor

Due to a flame sensor is the second reason that a furnace rarely leaks gas. So that it can monitor the situation, there is a component in your gas furnace that senses when the gas starts to burn. The flame sensor detects this and shuts off the access to the gas, stopping the system entirely and keeping your home safe if the furnace lets gas into the combustion chamber but the gas doesn’t burn.

Time, Friction & Other Furnace Problems

These components can get damaged or fail due to friction, time and other problems that arise. This is exactly why routine maintenance is essential. In order to keep your gas furnace safe and reliable, have a reputable professional perform an annual tune up.

How Does the Heat Exchanger Work?

Carbon monoxide is a major concern with gas furnaces, and most want to know how to keep your home safe from CO. Unfortunately, due to the insidious invisibility of carbon monoxide CO-related injuries and deaths are more common than gas-related ones. Fortunately, with the heat exchanger and other devices, there are another two reasons why your furnace won’t release CO into your home. A component dedicated to keeping any combustion fumes like CO2, CO, and smoke, away from your breathable air is the heat exchanger, for starters. In order for this part to last the entire duration of your furnace’s lifespan it is made out of thick metal.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Additionally, most homeowners have carbon monoxide detectors in their home. When they pick up even a tiny amount of carbon monoxide, monoxide detectors can let out a loud screech to help keep you protected. If you do not have any of these devices in your home, it is in your best interest to invest in them.

Furnace & Boiler Heating Maintenance, Repairs, Replacement, Emergency Repairs & More in Springfield, Granby, Holyoke, South Hadley, Monson, Chicopee & Agawam, Massachusetts

When it comes to furnace repair, maintenance, replacement, and installation services in the Greater Hampshire and Hamden County, Massachusetts area, call in the certified experts of at Ambient Heating & Air Conditioning and let us assist you!