HVAC Contractors FAQ – Natural Gas Basics
If your home or business is heated and cooled by HVAC units powered by natural gas, it is important to know some basic information and safety guidelines about using gas-fired equipment. Even if your system is regularly maintained by professional HVAC contractors, there are some important things to keep in mind about natural gas.
Natural gas made up predominantly of methane, and is lighter than air. Not only is it colorless, it is also odorless. The distinctive smell we associate with natural gas is actually and odorant additive that is mixed in with natural gas for safety reasons; because of its odor, even small amounts of natural gas can be detected by the human nose. This ensures that even minor leaks will be noticed, located, and remedied. Though non-toxic, natural gas can be very dangerous if allowed to leak into your home or place of business. When mixed in certain concentrations of air, natural gas can easily ignite when exposed to flame or even a small spark.
If you smell gas, there are a few steps you should take before you call your HVAC contractors to investigate the leak. First, put out any flames in the area, including candles and cigarettes. You should cease operating electrical appliances, which may create sparks, and turn off gas appliances. One your gas appliances are off, ensure that their pilot lights are out, and open every window and door near the area where natural gas can be smelled, to allow for maximum ventilation. Opening doors and windows helps prevent gas build-up, which helps prevent the possibility of an ignition or explosion. If you still think gas is escaping, go to your gas meter and turn off the main gas tap. If you don’t know how to do this, call your HVAC contractors or gas company for assistance. At this point, you should also call the fire department to alert them of the gas leak.
General safety tips regarding pilot lights can save lives, so make sure that any individual who might interact with your natural gas equipment knows how to do so safely. Pilot lights should always produce a blue flame; if the flame is red or yellow, there is a problem with your gas lines or HVAC unit, and you should call your HVAC company right away. If the pilot light of an appliance goes out, it is important that you turn off the gas at the appliance for several minutes before relighting. There should be relighting instructions somewhere on the appliance, but if you’re unsure how to relight the pilot light, consult your HVAC installer for assistance.
Finally, you should always have qualified HVAC companies install and maintain your natural gas equipment. All natural gas equipment should be cleaned and serviced regularly by certified technicians.
John Brown is a technician working for an HVAC contracting company servicing homes & businessesNorth Town Mechanical
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