If you have a gas furnace, you know how great that heat feels in the middle of a cold winter day. Gas furnaces are energy efficient and can keep utility bills lower – especially when compared to electric heat. As with any heating system, there are important safety to-dos to keep in mind. Here are some furnace safety tips that will help you avoid hazards or problems with your unit this year.
#1: Don’t block intake or exhaust lines.
Keep debris and clutter away from these lines; always ensure that there’s clearance around the system. Also remember not to store cleaning products or other flammable items like loose paper or boxes near the unit. If the machine gets hot or has an electric malfunction, your home could be at risk of an accidental fire.
#2: Don’t neglect annual professional furnace tune-ups.
Did you know that annual professional maintenance keeps your system running longer and more efficiently? It also helps repair or detect early problems that may turn into bigger problems later. Our professional team of technicians at Specialty Heating and Cooling will run an energy efficiency check and clean or change air filters. Then, we’ll check the innerworkings of the machine to ensure things are functioning as they should. If we notice anything that needs adjusting or repair, we’ll talk to you about that and be sure to get things fixed as soon as possible.
#3: Make sure your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a odorless, colorless gas. It can come from a variety of gas appliances or furnaces and if a leak occurs, it can easily poison people inside the home, causing sickness or even death. Ensure you have a reliable carbon monoxide detector installed in your home. If you don’t have one, install one right away. They are affordably priced and available at your local home improvement shops. At the same time, test your smoke alarms in the home and change batteries. This simple maintenance task can undoubtedly save your life.
It’s important to keep your home – and the people inside of it – safe and protected. So, now that colder winter days are finally here and your furnace is on, remember these important safety tips. At Specialty Heating and Cooling, we aim to keep you comfortable all season long – so call us today to schedule your repair, maintenance appointment, or to learn about a gas furnace replacement. We look forward to working with you!
