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

Your furnace can get too hot if it doesn’t have enough space. It also makes it hard for our specialists to complete furnace repair.

Regular furnace maintenance is essential to keep your unit running well. A regularly serviced furnace may run more efficiently, which could lower your heating expenses.

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

Maintenance often helps us spot troubles before they begin. This could help reduce future repair bills and potentially lengthen the life of your system.

So how much clearance should your equipment really have?

How Much Space Should My Furnace Have?

If you’re updating your basement or closing off your furnace room, you should take a look at manufacturer directions and Los Angeles ordinances for clearance rules.

As a general suggestion, your system should be 30 inches away from furnace room walls on all sides. This lets our service experts to easily repair it.

You also need to check the area has ample airflow and ventilation, especially if you have an outdated furnace with a metal flue.

Related: Furnace Service or Furnace Replacement: What to Consider

This model of furnace needs combustion air from the surrounding location. If there’s not enough air, dangerous gas fumes and deadly carbon monoxide could flow back into your home.

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

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

Keep Hazardous Items Away from Your Furnace

Although furnace rooms double as laundry and storage space, you should keep yours free of items 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, place 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 all over your home.

You should also routinely vacuum near your furnace to prevent dust from developing.

Related: Is it Time for Furnace Service or Replacement?

Request a Free Quote for Furnace Service

Whether you want furnace replacement or annual maintenance in Los Angeles, AZ Air Conditioning and Heating can expertly handle your needs. Our highly trained technicians can repair any furnace model or brand.

Call us at 800-296-5088 or use our online scheduler to set up an appointment today.