Your gas heater might be working, but is it safe?
Just because your gas heater is blowing warm air doesn’t mean it’s working safely behind the scenes.
Gas heaters that haven’t been serviced regularly can develop faults that put your home and your family at risk – and most of these issues don’t give obvious warning signs to the untrained eye.
If it’s been a while since you’ve had your gas heater serviced, now’s the time to get it looked at by a licensed professional. Regular gas heater servicing is one of the simplest ways to make sure your home is safe in the winter months.
Let’s look at some of the dangers of an unserviced gas heater.
Carbon monoxide leaks
In Victoria, multiple fatalities have been linked to carbon monoxide leaks from faulty gas heaters. It’s one of the biggest risks tied to unserviced gas heaters.
Even a small crack in the heat exchanger or a blocked flue can lead to carbon monoxide leaking into your home without you realising. You can’t smell it or see it, but it can build up quickly, especially in closed-up homes during winter.
And one of the sneakiest things about carbon monoxide leaks is that your symptoms can be similar to flu and cold symptoms – like a sniffly nose and a headache – which makes leaks especially difficult to detect in winter.
That’s why authorities urge homeowners to test for CO at least every two years, or annually if possible.
A professional gas heater service includes carbon monoxide testing, a visual inspection of the flue and heat exchanger, and proper cleaning of the burner and ventilation components. This ensures your system is burning gas cleanly and safely – and if there’s even a hint of CO risk, the technician will flag it and possibly be able to fix the issue on the spot.
Gas leaks and explosion risks
An ageing heater can slowly leak gas from worn-out valves, joints or fittings. You might catch a faint ‘rotten egg’ smell – or you might not.
Even a small leak is like leaving the stove on without a flame. The gas builds up, and all it takes is one spark to cause a fire or explosion.
The longer the heater goes uninspected, the more likely these faults are to appear. During a standard service, a licensed gasfitter (like the team at The Heat & Cool Service Group) will test for leaks using pressure equipment or gas sensors.
Fire hazards
Dust, grime and lint can build up inside your heater, especially if it’s been sitting idle over summer. That might not seem like a big deal, but it can overheat components or block airflow. Add in a faulty ignition or cracked casing, and suddenly, you’ve got a real fire risk.
Gas heater servicing clears out debris and checks that the burner, flame sensor, and overheat safety features are working properly. It sounds simple, but we’d like to remind you that it’s illegal to service your own gas heater. Any work related to gas is inherently dangerous and should be carried out by a licensed professional.
Combustion problems and fumes
You should always see a strong, steady blue flame when your heater is running. If it’s yellow or flickering, the gas isn’t burning properly — and that means incomplete combustion.
This creates two problems:
- It can release deadly carbon monoxide into your living space.
- It can leave soot and residue on walls, curtains, and inside the unit. Not only is this messy, but it can also trigger asthma or breathing issues. Plus, excess soot buildup can pose a potential fire hazard.
A yellow flame is a red flag. Technicians can spot these issues quickly during a service, clean the burner, and adjust the air-to-gas ratio to make sure the flame burns clean and blue, the way it’s meant to.
Safety features can fail without warning
Modern gas heaters are fitted with safety controls, like flame failure devices, overheat shut-offs, and pressure regulators. These are all designed to keep you safe.
But they don’t last forever.
Over time, sensors can become less responsive. Wiring connections can corrode. Valves can stick or seize. And when one of these features fails, your heater might keep running – even when it shouldn’t.
Gas heater servicing includes testing all safety controls to make sure they’re doing their job properly. If a part’s failing or borderline, a licensed professional will flag it and replace it before it becomes a problem.
So, how often should you get your gas heater serviced?
Short answer: annually – if you can.
Victorian safety bodies recommend servicing every two years as an absolute minimum. But some national authorities (like the Australian Gas Association) and licensed gasfitters suggest annual checks, especially for older units, or homes with kids, pets, or elderly residents.
The risks aren’t worth brushing off.
Stay warm, stay safe
Gas heaters are reliable when they’re looked after. But like any fuel-burning appliance, they carry risks if left unchecked. Regular gas heater servicing doesn’t just improve performance; it protects your home from real danger.
Need yours checked? Book a gas heater service today with The Heat & Cool Service Group. We’re your local experts in safe, efficient gas heater servicing.
