Natural gas furnaces need enough space and airflow to work properly.

Your furnace can overheat if it doesn’t have enough clearance. It also makes it difficult for our technicians to accomplish furnace repair.

Routine furnace maintenance is essential to keep your equipment operating trouble-free. An annually serviced furnace may work more efficiently, which could decrease your energy bills.

Related: How Does Furnace Maintenance Impact the Energy Efficiency of Your Home?

Maintenance often helps us discover troubles before they start. This could help lower future repair expenses and possibly lengthen the life of your furnace.

So how much area should your system really have?

How Much Space Should My Furnace Have?

If you’re remodeling your basement or closing off your furnace room, you should consult manufacturer directions and Payson statutes for clearance requirements.

As a general rule of thumb, your system should be 30 inches away from furnace room walls on all sides. This permits our service technicians to comfortably work on it.

You also need to make sure the space has ample airflow and ventilation, especially if you have an aging furnace with a metal flue.

Related: Furnace Service or Furnace Replacement: What to Consider

This type of furnace draws combustion air from the nearby space. If there’s inadequate air, dangerous gas fumes and deadly carbon monoxide could back draft into your home.

If your furnace is positioned in a little room with a gas water heater, you may need to add extra openings. This could consist of a fully louvered door or vents in the walls.

You don’t need to consider airflow and ventilation as much if you have a modern, high-efficiency furnace with PVC piping. Your system uses one pipe as an exhaust vent and the other to add air.

Keep Flammable Items A Safe Distance from Your Furnace

Although furnace rooms double as laundry and storage space, you should keep yours free of clutter that could be fire hazards.

This includes:

  • Clotheslines
  • Cleaning or laundry products
  • Gasoline, paint or paint thinner
  • Rags and papers
  • Wood scraps and sawdust
  • Used filters

If you have a cat, put your litter box somewhere else. Cat urine contains ammonia, which could deteriorate your furnace’s heat exchanger. Plus, the furnace could move the smelly odors throughout your home.

You should also frequently vacuum around your furnace to stop dust from accumulating.

Related: Is it Time for Furnace Service or Replacement?

Request a Free Quote for Furnace Service

Whether you want furnace replacement or routine maintenance in Payson, North Mechanical Heating and Cooling can expertly take care of your needs. Our highly trained technicians can work on any heating equipment model or brand.

Call us at 928-263-8570 or use our online scheduler to request an appointment right away.