{"id":840,"date":"2012-03-21T08:00:35","date_gmt":"2012-03-21T12:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boehmerheating.com\/blog\/?p=840"},"modified":"2025-02-13T12:50:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T17:50:54","slug":"pittsburgh-heating-quesiton-what-are-flue-gas-spill-switches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boehmerheating.com\/blog\/heating\/pittsburgh-heating-quesiton-what-are-flue-gas-spill-switches\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh Heating Quesiton: What Are Flue Gas Spill Switches?"},"content":{"rendered":"

While some components of their Pittsburgh\u00a0heating system<\/a>\u00a0make sense to the average homeowner \u2013 think blower fan, thermostat and air ducts \u2013 others are more esoteric and prone to bouts of head scratching.<\/p>\n

So, you may find yourself asking \u201cwhat the heck is a flue gas spill switch?\u201d<\/p>\n

As you know, gas heating appliances produce heat by means of combustion. The gas line feeds gas into the appliance, the gas is ignited, and the burning gas produces heat. It\u2019s a simple concept that goes all the way back to our caveman ancestors building fires to keep warm, and it is the same process in gas furnaces, boilers <\/a>and water heaters.<\/p>\n

In addition to producing the cozy heat we love in the winter time, this combustion process also releases gases. Known collectively as \u201cflue gases,\u201d some of these \u2013 carbon monoxide being the most notorious \u2013 can be very toxic. This why we have flues or chimneys in our homes– to give these gases a means of egress.<\/p>\n

A flue gas spill switch is designed to shut down the furnace<\/a> if these gases start seeping out. It is made up of a sensor or series of sensors that detect heat outside the flue, not unlike the flame sensor in your furnace. If flue gases start to escape and pass by the sensor, the sensor heats up and signals the furnace to shut down. This cuts off the power and gas, so that no more flue gases can leak into the home and create a health concern.<\/p>\n

If your Pittsburgh\u00a0furnace<\/a> has been abruptly shutting down, it could be your flue gas spill switch trying to tell you that you have a leaky or cracked flue. If this is the case, you want to have it repaired right away. The constant off and on is not good for the furnace, and more importantly, those flue gases can be exceptionally hazardous to your family\u2019s health. Learn more about the<\/span> dangers of ignoring furnace sounds<\/a> and how they could indicate serious issues with your heating system.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can prevent many heating system issues. If you’re experiencing unusual shutdowns, strange sounds, or inefficiencies, it’s important to act quickly. Check out these potential end-of-season heating repair needs<\/a> to ensure your system remains in top condition and avoid future hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the role of components like the flue gas spill switch can help you take better care of your heating system. For more tips on keeping your furnace in good shape, read about issues that might require heating repair<\/a> to ensure your home stays safe and warm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While some components of their Pittsburgh heating system make sense to the average homeowner \u2013 think blower fan, thermostat and air ducts \u2013 others are more esoteric and prone to bouts of head scratching.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[195,150,273,108,74,88],"class_list":["post-840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-heating","tag-furnace","tag-furnace-repair","tag-heating","tag-homestead","tag-south-hills","tag-wexford"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t