Natural gas furnaces need sufficient space and airflow to work correctly.

Your furnace can overheat if it doesn’t have enough clearance. It also makes it challenging for our professionals to complete furnace repair.

Annual furnace maintenance is essential to keep your system running trouble-free. A regularly serviced furnace may run more efficiently, which could reduce your heating expenses.

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

Maintenance often helps us spot issues before they become expensive. This could help lessen future repair expenses and likely lengthen the life of your unit.

So how much room should your equipment really have?

How Much Space Does My Furnace Need?

If you’re finishing your basement or closing off your furnace room, you should research manufacturer directions and Siloam Springs ordinances for clearance rules.

As a general recommendation, your heater should be 30 inches away from furnace room walls on all sides. This allows our service technicians to easily repair it.

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

Related: Furnace Service or Furnace Replacement: What to Consider

This model of furnace pulls combustion air from the nearby area. If there’s inadequate air, unsafe gas fumes and toxic 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 install extra openings. This could include a fully louvered door or vents in the walls.

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

Keep Hazardous Items Away from Your Furnace

Although furnace rooms function 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 elsewhere. Cat urine contains ammonia, which could create wear on your furnace’s heat exchanger. Plus, the furnace could spread the smelly odors around your home.

You should also frequently sweep near your furnace to block dust from accumulating.

Related: Is it Time for Furnace Service or Replacement?

Trust the Local Pros for Furnace Service

Whether you have to have furnace replacement or routine maintenance in Siloam Springs, Siloam Springs Heating & AC can expertly handle your needs. Our highly trained technicians can repair any HVAC model or brand.

Call us at 479-308-8176 or use our online scheduler to set up an appointment right away.