Proper installation, routine maintenance and safe ventilation help protect your home and family. Chattanooga Gas provides the guidance below for natural gas appliances, furnaces, water heaters, gas detectors and additional safety topics.
Natural Gas Appliance Safety
Keep your natural gas appliances and/or equipment in good working condition by following these safety tips:
- Gas appliances should have proper air circulation at all times.
- Gas flames should burn bright blue. Yellow or orange flames may indicate improper combustion or venting. Contact a certified contractor if you notice this.
- Keep flammable or combustible items away from gas appliances and equipment.
- Use natural gas equipment only for what it's designed to do. For example, you should never use a stove or oven for heating.
- Buy equipment with the American Gas Association Blue Star Seal of Approval.
- Have natural gas appliances cleaned and inspected yearly by a certified contractor or HVAC technician. Find one in your area.
Furnace & Venting Safety
Important information about furnaces according
to the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
- It’s important that you have your furnace inspected by a qualified specialist according to manufacturer guidelines to ensure that it is in good working condition. Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified.
- Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.
- Keep trash and other combustible material away from your heating and water heating systems.
- Keep natural gas vents unobstructed and free of debris. Some direct-vent and high-efficiency appliances have direct side wall outdoor vents and air intakes that could become obstructed during heavy snowfalls.
- Keep sidewall vents clear of snow and ice. These vents bring in fresh air and safely release exhaust from heating and water-heating equipment. Blocked vents can disrupt airflow and allow carbon monoxide-containing exhaust to enter the home.
Heating System Warning Signs
- Gas flames are pale yellow or wavy
- Gas appliances are not vented to the outdoors
- Rust, corrosion or excessive dust on gas appliances
- Excessively dirty, clogged or missing furnace air filters
- Gas appliance valves are missing or not properly installed
- Blocked, broken, rusted, disconnected, corroded or unsealed appliance vent piping
- Soot near burners or appliance venting
- Venting not approved by the appliance manufacturer or not venting to the proper place outdoors
- Evidence of discoloration at the appliance burner, burner access door or vent area
- Gas appliances installed in a garage less than 18 inches above the garage floor
- Gas appliances that are missing a fire door
Water Heater Safety
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends setting water heaters to 120°F (49°C) to help reduce the risk of scalding. Always test the water before bathing children or infants.
Consumers should consider lowering the thermostat to the lowest settings that will satisfy hot water needs for all clothing and dish washing machines.
How to test your water temperature:
- Run the hot water for five minutes.
- Put a reliable thermometer that registers at least 150 degrees under the water stream.
- If your water is more than 125 degrees, lower the thermostat on your water heater. If you can't find the temperature controls or have any questions, call a qualified contractor or your landlord for help.
Natural Gas Detector Safety
Natural gas detectors may be installed by homeowners for an additional safeguard to detect leaks. The natural gas detector measures the concentration of methane in the air and sounds an alarm to alert you before dangerous levels are reached.
The methane detector works by pulling in air from the surroundings and, if it detects a dangerous level of natural gas in your home its light will flash and/or it will emit a loud noise. Please refer to your user’s manual for the detector for specific natural gas alarm characteristics. It’s also important to test the device regularly. Please refer to your user’s manual for testing intervals and the procedures that explain the light and sound patterns to ensure the detector and alarm functions are working properly.
If the natural gas detector alarm sounds, respond immediately!
Assume there’s a natural gas leak. Leave the area quickly, taking everyone with you.
Follow the guidelines for when you smell gas:
DO NOT use the telephone or any electrical appliances including light switches, garage door openers, doorbells, radios, TVs or cell phones. A spark from any of these sources could ignite the gas, causing a fire or explosion.
DO NOT disconnect the gas detector battery to silence the alarm. A spark could cause an explosion.
DO NOT assume someone else will report the leak.
DO NOT go back inside your home or building until company or emergency personnel say it is safe to return.
Additional Safety Topics
Explore additional guidance on furnace maintenance, heating-system warning signs, supplemental heating, generators and outdoor grills. These practical tips can help reduce hazards, protect your equipment and keep your household safe.
Supplemental Heating Safety
- Never use a gas range as a space heater. Doing so can cause carbon monoxide to build up.
- Place space heaters on a level surface and keep them away from curtains and other flammable objects.
- If you use a natural gas or kerosene space heater, ensure it is properly and safely vented to the outside.
Furnace Maintenance
- Clean air filters regularly and replace as needed.
- Ensure furnace panels and grills are in place and that the fan compartment door is closed when the furnace is on. Leaving these doors open can cause carbon monoxide to build up.
- Check to see that the furnace or boiler is free of dust, rust or corrosion.
- Keep the space around the furnace clean and clear.
Outdoor Grills
July is the peak month for grilling fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. A stationery natural gas grill can help avoid the safety worries associated with portable grills. Customers are encouraged to take precautions when grilling this summer:
- Use a certified natural gas contractor to ensure your natural gas line and grill connection are installed properly and according to building codes. To locate a certified contractor, use our online tool.
- All grills need proper venting and distancing from flammable objects. Position your grill at least 10 feet from flammable objects such as siding, eaves, ceilings, porch rails, overhanging branches or decorative objects.
- When purchasing a grill, be sure to shop for the right type, since stationary natural gas and portable propane grills have different connection equipment.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
- Keep your grill clean, removing grease buildup from the grills and the trays below.
- Make sure your grill lid is open before lighting it.
- Never leave a hot grill unattended, especially after you’ve finished cooking and you’ve turned up the grill to burn off any remnants.
- When a grill is not being used, turn off all the burner control knobs including the side burner, then if using a natural gas grill, turn off the shut-off valve on your natural gas supply line.
Find a Contractor
Preferred program members can use our find a contractor tool to contact one of our Qualified Gas Contractors for appliance repairs and maintenance.
