Assbestos

Asbestos around furnaces, wood stoves and ducts

Older oil and coal furnaces, wood stoves and the walls and floors around them can have asbestos in insulation, paper tape on ducts, millboard and cement-sheet heat shields, and door gaskets. Leave it alone while it's intact, and get it tested before replacing the furnace or stove.

Where to look

From the EPA and CPSC:

  • Oil and coal furnaces with asbestos insulation.
  • Furnace ducts wrapped in asbestos paper tape.
  • Cement sheet, millboard and paper used as insulation around furnaces and wood stoves, and to protect walls and floors around wood stoves.
  • Door gaskets in furnaces, wood stoves and coal stoves.
  • Artificial ashes and embers sold for gas fireplaces (banned in 1977).
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Replacing a furnace or stove

Replacing heating equipment often means cutting or pulling apart exactly these materials. Have them tested first, and if they contain asbestos, plan for a trained, accredited professional to remove them before or alongside the installer. EPA's contractor checklist includes turning off the heating and air conditioning system and sealing the work area (EPA).

Day to day

  • Don't sand, scrape or pull at damaged duct wrap. Keep people away from damaged material.
  • Don't dust, sweep or vacuum debris that may contain asbestos (EPA).
  • Encapsulation and enclosure are options for intact but worn material. EPA says sealing should be done only by a trained professional.

Sources

Last reviewed October 29, 2026. See our sources.