👋 From Mark Callahan: Before You Fire Up That Furnace…
If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t think about your furnace until the first cold front hits—and by then, it could already be putting your family at risk.
“Gas heat is warm and reliable—but if it’s neglected, it can quietly become dangerous.”
That’s why I created this seasonal guide. If you’ve got a furnace—especially an 80,000 BTU R-32 compatible unit like these—you need to check for the big three before winter:
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Carbon monoxide leaks
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Pilot or ignitor issues
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Ventilation and combustion air problems
Let’s get into it—step by step.
🧪 1. Carbon Monoxide: What You Can’t Smell Can Hurt You
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of burning natural gas. It’s colorless, odorless, and lethal in high concentrations.
According to the CDC, more than 400 Americans die each year from CO poisoning, with over 50,000 visiting the ER. And one of the top culprits? Malfunctioning gas furnaces.
✅ CO Safety Checklist
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Install a CO detector on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace every 5–7 years.
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Have your furnace inspected by a licensed technician annually to check for cracked heat exchangers, incomplete combustion, or backdrafting.
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Don’t ignore a CO alarm—leave your home, ventilate it, and call emergency services immediately.
For more guidance, the Consumer Product Safety Commission provides a clear checklist on how to safely operate your gas furnace and install CO monitors.
🔥 2. Pilot Lights and Ignition Systems: Old vs. New
Old-School Pilot Lights
Older furnaces use a continuously burning pilot light to ignite the burners. While simple, they can become unstable from dirt, drafts, or a failing thermocouple.
🛠️ What to look for:
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A healthy pilot flame should be solid blue—not flickering, yellow, or split.
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If the pilot keeps going out, your thermocouple may be failing or the gas valve may be sticky.
Electronic Ignition
Modern furnaces like Goodman’s R-32-compatible models use hot surface ignitors (HSI) or spark ignition systems, which are more efficient and reliable—but also more sensitive to dust and corrosion.
✅ Pre-Winter Tip: Have your ignitor inspected and cleaned annually. They’re often the first thing to fail after sitting dormant all summer.
Want to understand the difference between ignition types? Check out Energy Saver's overview of gas furnaces.
🌀 3. Venting and Flue Gas Safety
Your furnace produces combustion gases like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and water vapor. These need to exit your home safely via a vent pipe or chimney flue.
🚫 A blocked or cracked flue can allow deadly gases to leak back inside.
Pre-Winter Flue Checklist
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Inspect metal vent pipes for rust, sagging, or disconnected joints.
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For high-efficiency PVC systems, check for cracks, improper slope, or debris buildup (especially leaves and ice in sidewall vents).
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Confirm the chimney liner is intact and compatible with gas appliances.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires, especially when venting isn’t up to code.
🌬️ 4. Combustion Air: Your Furnace Needs to Breathe
In a tightly sealed home, your furnace might not have enough fresh air to support clean combustion. This can cause:
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Incomplete gas burning (producing CO)
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Burner flame instability
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Poor heating performance
What to Check
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Look for combustion air intake vents near the furnace. These should be unblocked and not drawing from crawlspaces or laundry rooms.
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In newer sealed combustion systems, ensure the intake PVC pipe is free of clogs.
If your home was weatherized recently (new insulation, windows, or caulking), you may have reduced natural air infiltration—this is good for your bill but bad if your furnace isn’t adjusted for it.
For more info on combustion air requirements, see ASHRAE’s Ventilation Guidelines.
🧼 5. Filters, Ducts, and Airflow Checks
It might sound basic, but airflow issues are a leading cause of safety shutdowns and early heat exchanger failure.
Filter & Duct Tips
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Change filters every 30–90 days—or monthly if you have pets or allergies.
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Use MERV 8–11 filters—don’t go over MERV 13 unless your system is designed for it.
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Inspect exposed ducts for leaks and insulate where necessary.
Leaks not only waste energy—they can pull dangerous flue gases back into your home if the furnace draws air from return ducts with holes.
➡️ Check out this guide from Building America Solutions Center for DIY duct sealing best practices.
🛡️ 6. What Modern Furnaces Do to Keep You Safe
Modern gas furnaces, especially those compatible with R-32 refrigerant systems, come with built-in protections:
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Rollout sensors shut down the furnace if flames escape the heat exchanger.
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Limit switches prevent overheating from clogged filters or blower failure.
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Pressure switches ensure safe vent operation.
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Diagnostic lights show fault codes when something’s wrong.
The 80,000 BTU Goodman R-32 furnaces available at The Furnace Outlet have these features and more—designed to catch problems before they become emergencies.
👨🔧 7. Know When to Call a Professional
There are things a homeowner can and should do—like replacing filters and testing detectors—but when it comes to flame sensors, gas pressures, or venting? Bring in the pros.
Here are red flags that need a licensed tech:
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Pilot won’t stay lit
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Yellow or flickering burner flames
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Strange odors (burning, chemicals, or rotten eggs)
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Furnace turns on and off rapidly (short cycling)
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Soot deposits on walls or ceilings
An annual inspection costs less than a single service call—and a lot less than a hospital visit or home repair from a CO incident.
🏠 Quick Fall Furnace Safety Checklist
| Safety Item | Action |
|---|---|
| CO Detectors | Test & replace if expired |
| Pilot/Ignitor | Check for stable flame or damage |
| Flue Pipe | Inspect for rust, separation, blockage |
| Combustion Air | Verify clear access to intake vents |
| Air Filter | Replace with correct size/MERV rating |
| Ducts | Seal visible leaks, check for airflow |
| Thermostat | Test heating cycle & shutoff behavior |
| Professional Inspection | Schedule every 1–2 years |
Print this out and tape it near your furnace—smart homeowners run it every October.
📦 Why The Furnace Outlet’s R-32 80,000 BTU Units Make Safety Easy
When you upgrade to a new R-32 compatible furnace, you get:
✅ Fully sealed combustion for safety
✅ Modern ignitors (no pilot to blow out)
✅ PVC flue venting with built-in draft safety
✅ Diagnostic systems to catch problems early
✅ R-32 AC compatibility for better cooling efficiency
Plus, The Furnace Outlet sells direct—no markups, no gimmicks, and real people you can call for support.
🧠 Final Thoughts from Mark
Let me leave you with this:
“Safety is what your furnace gives you—if you give it the attention it deserves.”
Don't wait for a frigid night or a scary CO alert. Spend an hour this fall walking through this checklist. If anything seems off, get it checked.
And if your system is showing its age or missing modern safety tech, consider upgrading to a reliable, affordable R-32 80,000 BTU furnace from The Furnace Outlet.
Stay warm. Stay safe. Stay smart.
