Natural gas furnaces need adequate space and airflow to run right.

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

Annual furnace maintenance is crucial to keep your system working well. An annually serviced furnace may work more efficiently, which could reduce your utility bills.

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

Maintenance often helps us discover problems before they begin. This could help reduce future repair expenses and likely prolong the life of your furnace.

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 research manufacturer instructions and Manassas statutes for clearance rules.

As a general recommendation, your furnace should be 30 inches away from furnace room walls on all sides. This permits our service professionals to easily work on it.

You also need to make sure the space 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 location. If there’s not enough air, hazardous gas fumes and toxic carbon monoxide could leak into your home.

If your furnace is located in a small 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 newer, high-efficiency furnace with PVC piping. Your system uses one pipe as an exhaust vent and the other to add air.

Keep Hazardous Items Separate from Your Furnace

Although furnace rooms function 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 create wear on your furnace’s heat exchanger. Plus, the furnace could move the stinky odors throughout your home.

You should also routinely sweep near your furnace to block dust from developing.

Related: Is it Time for Furnace Service or Replacement?

Request a Free Quote for Furnace Service

Whether you need furnace replacement or regular maintenance in Manassas, Woody's Sudden Service can expertly take care of your needs. Our highly trained technicians can fix any heating equipment model or brand.

Call us at 703-278-2036 or use our online scheduler to request an appointment right away.