Five Furnace Safety Tips
As winter approaches in Central Virginia, homeowners are getting ready to turn on their furnaces for the first time in several months. Before you fire up your heating system, check out these tips to get your system ready for the colder months ahead.
1. Schedule an Annual Furnace Tune Up
Scheduling your annual furnace maintenance with a professional just before the winter season is crucial. A qualified technician will clean your equipment and check it for any potential safety hazards.
2. Change Furnace Filters
Change your furnace filters every 1 to 3 months to keep the system clean and functioning efficiently. A dirty or clogged filter can put extra strain on the system and result in higher electricity bills.
3. Clear Space Around Your Furnace
If your furnace is located in a storage area, avoid placing any household items on or near it. Keeping items too close to your furnace can reduce its efficiency and pose a potential fire risk, particularly with flammable materials like paint, paint thinners, gasoline, acetone, and similar substances.
4. Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Your furnace produces carbon monoxide and other hazardous gases, which are safely vented outdoors when the system is operating properly. In the event of a leak, it is crucial to be alerted beforehand to prevent poisoning.
5. When to Call A Professional
- If your furnace produces loud banging noises during operation, it could be a sign of malfunctioning parts within the system, which may lead to excessive strain on its essential components.
- A continuous burning smell may indicate that the equipment is overheating, which could lead to potential issues.
- The furnace flame should consistently appear blue; if you notice streaks of yellow, orange, or green, it indicates an imbalance in the ratio of natural gas and oxygen.