How to fix yellow flame on gas furnace
Experiencing problems with your natural gas furnace can be rather scary, especially if you’re not overly confident with the concept of gas line repair. However, a yellow burner flame is an issue that must be fixed ASAP.
This quick guide on how to fix a yellow flame will help you restore a safe, reliable, and efficient gas burner.
Why you must look to fix a yellow flame right away
Keeping your gas burner flame in good health is one of the most important aspects of good home maintenance. Here are just some of the stats to underline this;
- Just under half of all U.S. homeowners still use natural gas appliances to heat their properties.
- An estimated 345,000+ house fires occur each year – although this covers a lot more than just furnace fires.
- Over 430 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year with gas leaks being a leading contributor.
- Gas prices are at an all-time high and people simply cannot afford to waste money as a result of
The furnace flame color is one of the clearest indications that you have a problem with the fas furnace, and a yellow color should never be ignored. If it is, you will leave to regret it.
What causes the gas burner flame to turn yellow?
Before you can combat yellow flames to restore a normal gas burner performance, you must first investigate the problems to understand why healthy blue flames no longer burn. For stoves and gas burners to burn cleanly, there needs to be a healthy ratio between fuel and air.
Consequently, then, a yellow flame is likely to be due to one of the following issues;
- You may be getting too much fuel into the gas stove as a result of wear and tear or damage to the burner orifice.
- You may be getting too little air due to blockages or configuration issues with the air shutter.
Whether it’s too much gas or not, correcting the fuel to air ratio will ensure that the flame turns blue once more, which will indicate a healthy stove or other gas appliance.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that an orange flame can be dangerous too. Orange flames usually occur on gas stoves due to soot particles produced as a result of incomplete combustion. It can cause allergens and lead to breathing problems, although it isn’t as dangerous as carbon monoxide.
How to fix a yellow burner flame quickly and efficiently
A roaring blue flame that burns clean and clear is the desired outcome. Even if you’re not entirely sure of the reason for your yellow or orange flames, there are several simple steps that you can use to safely troubleshoot the issue and regain a healthy gas flame without requiring a certified gas engineer.
Firstly, you should clean the gas stove. This means cleaning the burner air vent and the burner’s air shutter. Dirt and debris cause blockages that can impact the ratio between fuel and air. Clearing and cleaning the burner gas valve, as well as the flue can be done at this time too while replacing the air filter is probably a wise move to encourage the return of a roaring blue flame.
Another simple trick is to open the gas stove stovetop before moving the sliding plate to gain access to the air shutter. On most stoves, this is behind the burner gas valve. You will subsequently be able to loosen the screw. Once you turn the furnace’s burners back on, slowly open the shutter until a blue flame shows. Correcting this problem involves adjusting the shutter several times, but it will be worthwhile.
A lack of oxygen, which is one of the potential reasons for a yellow flame can be caused by carbon monoxide too. So, it is also necessary to buy carbon monoxide detectors and test the rooms.
If your gas burners are not getting enough air due to poor burner air intake, they may be causing this poisonous carbon monoxide gas. You must ensure that this is fixed before using your gas furnace again. Good ventilation to allow more air into the combustion chamber will aid the burning processes to ensure a safe solution and a completely blue flame.
Gas pressure is another potential cause of yellow or red flames while it may also cause the flame on a gas furnace to be extinguished. as well as being blue, the gas furnace flame must deliver the desired strength. if it does not repressure the boiler may support healthy furnace burner flames.
Whether you have a gas heater or any other appliance fueled by natural gas, keeping all parts clean will keep the burner piping hot and clear of debris to promote more complete combustion. In turn, this should promote the right ratio to guarantee blue flames time and time again.
When to seek expert advice
Completing the troubleshooting tips to test your gas line and heating system should give you a fair shot of returning your gas furnace to a blue flame. However, the importance of getting your flame to burn cleanly should not be underestimated for a second – not least because the yellow color can signify the presence of carbon monoxide.
If you still feel unsure of how to fix a yellow flame or simply crave peace of mind, calling a gas furnace technician is advised. It’s better to be safe than sorry.