Our HVAC systems do a great job at pumping out heat and providing comfort in our homes during the winter, provided they are properly maintained and we exercise caution. Having said that, a home heating system can develop problems that can become a risk to our health and safety.
To help you avoid these potential problems and have a safe winter, we at Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air put together the following list of 7 easy furnace safety tips from our local furnace repair professionals:
Keeping Your Dayton, Ohio, Area Home Safe This Winter!
Late Maintenance is Better than No Maintenance
Even though a furnace may seem to be operating nicely already, with the heating season in full swing, that doesn’t mean it’ll be fine all winter without maintenance. As such, if you haven’t had your home heating system tuned up yet, you should know that it’s never too late for preventative furnace system maintenance. One of the most essential components of a furnace tune-up is that it affords a certified technician the chance to inspect your home heating system to ensure everything is operating safely and efficiently from top to bottom. Our furnace technicians look for all sorts of potential problems — everything from leaking gas to cracks in the heat exchanger and damaged or burnt electrical wiring. They do a great job of finding anything that might become a safety issue. For this reason and many others, furnace maintenance is well worth the nominal cost. Having utilized this service, you can enjoy peace-of-mind knowing your home heating system is good to go this winter, while enjoying added energy savings!
Replacing Furnace Filters
Dirty or outdated air filters impede airflow, which is vital to the function of any HVAC system. For a home heating system, this becomes not only dangerous but expensive. The added strain on your furnace forces it to work harder, which increases energy consumption while decreasing the system’s lifespan. Moreover, obstructed air filters can make a home more susceptible to carbon monoxide leakage. Meanwhile, they promote the accumulation of dirt on the system’s components. As such, it is essential you remember to check and change your filter every month this winter. If you have a reusable filter, be sure to wash it frequently.
Maintain a “Safe Zone” Surrounding Furnace
You can lessen the likelihood of a fire by keeping the area surrounding your furnace or home heating system clear and free of items. We suggest a minimal three-foot radius around furnaces. As such, storing anything like boxes or other items is ill-advised. This is particularly important to remember when it comes to anything flammable, especially fuel, paints, aerosol spray or other household chemicals.
Establish Set of Written Safety Rules
This safety tip goes for anyone who lives with others, especially homeowners with little ones and even teenage children in the house. To promote furnace safety in your home, make sure everyone who lives there understands the proper furnace safety guidelines for your home. You can also post these guidelines on your refrigerator. As mentioned above, you should not allow children to play anywhere near your home heating system. In fact, furnace rooms should be “kid free zones.” It’s also important at this time to make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency situation. In the event of a gas leak, make sure everyone knows where the valve is to shut off the gas furnace.
Testing Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With carbon monoxide leakage being one of the most dangerous safety threats in a home, it is essential a homeowner checks all carbon monoxide detectors in their home every fall and tests them to make sure they are fully operational. Because carbon monoxide leaks are frequently caused by furnace malfunctions, checking the function of their home heating system is also a must; however, be sure you individually test all of your carbon monoxide detectors and if necessary, put in a new set of batteries in each unit if the batteries are getting old.
Change Batteries in Smoke Detectors
When a furnace, heater or stove isn’t operating the way it is designed to, they can become fire hazards during the winter months. As such, fall and early winter is the ideal time of year to test all of the smoke detectors in the home. This needs to be done every year. If the batteries are older or you aren’t sure of their age, install a fresh set of batteries in each unit to stay on the safe side.
Give Us a Call If Concerns Arise!!!
Homeowners should never take chances when it comes to any type of fuel-burning appliance, or appliance that generates heat, let alone a home heating system. As such, we say it’s always smart to stay on the safe side, exercising every precaution, and not hesitating to contact our friendly professional team here at Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air if you feel that anything might be amiss with your system.
If you have any questions about our furnace safety tips, or if you’d like a heating system serviced or installed in your home, call Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air today at 937-502-3842, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
