What would life be like without our home furnaces? These appliances are essential sources of comfort, especially during the winter months. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be sources of danger too.
The humble domestic furnace has the potential to cause fire, air pollution, and even carbon monoxide poisoning. To prevent these hazards from occurring in your home, here are some safety measures you can take.
Clean your furnace regularly
This is one of the most basic but most important safety measures you can take to ensure that your furnace continues to operate safely.
Your furnace must be checked and cleaned on an annual basis by an HVAC specialist. Make sure you do this before the winter months. If you don’t you may find that you jeopardize your furnace’s warranty!
Changing your furnace’s filter is similarly crucial. If you’re not sure how to do this, ask an expert to assist you.
You should regularly confirm that the pilot light and main burners of a gas furnace are burning blue, too. Any other colors suggest that a specialist should attend to service it.
Install carbon monoxide detectors
Carbon monoxide is a silent but serious threat. When this gas is emitted in your home, you won’t be able to detect it by sight, taste, or smell. It can be lethal when inhaled either in high concentrations or gradually over time.
Signs that you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning include drowsiness and dizziness, but you don’t want to wait until that stage to know that there’s an issue!
That’s why everyone with natural gas heating systems should install carbon monoxide detectors throughout their home. They should be installed at knee level and on every floor of your home.
You might even consider investing in a smart detector. This advanced technology will send a notification to your phone if you are away and carbon monoxide is detected. Many pet owners opt for this system.
Keep an eye on your heat exchanger
Unless you’re an HVAC engineer, you may not be able to identify the heat exchanger of your furnace. We’d recommend that you get familiar with this component, though. It’s the part that actually produces heat.
One of the worst things that can happen to a furnace is a cracked heat exchanger because it poses a serious gas leak risk.
If you notice that black carbon is building up around the furnace, excessive moisture is in the space and water is at the base, or if your family is experiencing persistent flu-like symptoms, these are all signs that you need your gas furnace checked by a specialist.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do to ensure your furnace is operating safely and efficiently is book a safety check and service with a qualified and reputable HVAC company.
In Salt Lake City, Beehive Heating and Air offers 24-hour support, and we welcome you to contact us if you have any concerns or questions about your furnace.
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