Furnace Failure Common Causes

When you turn on your furnace for the first time during the winter and you smell a gas smell, what steps should you take to make sure that you don't have a gas leak?

If you detect a gas smell, the first thing to do is turn the appliance off and then shut off your gas supply. Next, call your gas company immediately. Open windows and doors to ventilate the house so gas doesn’t build up.

Once the immediate emergency is addressed, you should have a trained professional inspect the system—both on a routine basis and especially after an event like this. They should check for gas leaks, ensure the furnace is combusting properly, and confirm that the flue vent is working as it should to carry combustion gases outside.

Improper or damaged flue venting can cause serious issues. I’ve seen cases where poor venting allowed moisture and gases into the attic, ruining an entire roof’s decking. While that example didn’t harm anyone, it easily could have.

Every system needs regular maintenance: a general cleaning, checking and cleaning the flame rod, inspecting the ignition system, and testing for gas leaks.