Furnaces are highly efficient and heat your home up faster than an electric heater, but there’s a caveat: they’re potentially dangerous. At least, they can be if they’re not taken care of.
But how do you know if your furnace is safe in the first place? Contact a heating contractor in Battle Ground to inspect it for you, and follow these safety tips in the meantime.
Don’t Interrupt the Airflow
Your furnace relies on good airflow, and not just so that it can push air through your vents. It actually needs air intake to operate.
Obstructions near your furnace’s filter can cause problems. Keep as many items away from it as possible so there’s a sufficient supply of air that it can pull through the filter. If the area near your furnace is cluttered, it’s time to fix that.
This also means replacing the furnace filter once every 1-3 months. You should never neglect installing a new filter past the 3-month mark, but the frequency will depend on usage. Just keep the air flowing to prevent safety concerns.
Keep Flammable Items Far Away
Your furnace is combustion-based. It should go without saying, but you should do everything in your power to keep combustible items away from it.
In some homes, the furnace may be in your laundry room or basement. Make sure there’s a wide perimeter of open space near your furnace to reduce the possibility of mistakes and accidental damage.
Many in-home fires start because of heating equipment. Be mindful of laundry, chemicals, and materials such as lumber. It’s always best to find an alternative storage solution that isn’t near your furnace.
Keep Carbon Monoxide Detectors Current
Carbon monoxide is lethal. If it leaks into your home’s air supply, this colorless, odorless gas can cause issues without you realizing it until it’s too late.
If your furnace’s heat exchanger has a crack in it, carbon monoxide can leak out. The thing is, these cracks are usually so small that they’re invisible to the naked eye.
Your first line of defense is a fully functioning carbon monoxide detector. While it’s not common to have a carbon monoxide leak, it still leads to over 400 annual deaths in the US. It should be taken seriously.
Don’t Skip Maintenance or Repairs
We get it–maintenance costs are inconvenient and the appointment requires you to be home or have someone to let the technician in. It can be a pain, but it’s important.
Maintenance is also a point of inspection. Technicians check your furnace to spot any safety issues that aren’t extremely apparent.
The same goes for repairs. A minor repair shouldn’t wait, because it can lead to a big breakdown and safety concerns that follow.
Safer Furnace, Safer Home
Furnaces are efficient and can save you money over electric options, but that doesn’t mean they come without faults. They can definitely be dangerous.
Instead of putting your family at risk, contact the professionals that see these problems time and time again. We’ll handle your furnace safely (and as quickly as possible).
Contact Area Heating & Cooling, Inc. today to handle every furnace repair and maintenance request and keep the heat on.
