Your furnace has a big, multi-faceted job to do:
- Keep you warm and comfortable
- Operate smoothly for approximately 6 months a year
- Filter out dust, dirt and other pollutants before they can enter your air space
- Keep you safe from carbon monoxide poisoning and other potential risks
Six months of steady work with no breaks – no human could stand up to that test, and yet we weren’t built that way. Furnaces are built that way, but they’re also built to be properly and faithfully maintained to perform up to expectations.
As for your family’s safety, follow these proven tips for your added peace of mind:
- Make sure each level of your home is equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, including all bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test the alarms once a month and replace batteries every six months.
- Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from all heat sources, including wood or pellet stoves, fireplaces, radiators, and space heaters.
- If you rely on a portable space heater for added heat, make sure it meets UL safety standards. Also, never use a space heater with a frayed or damaged cord. Choose one that’s properly sized for the room and place it on a solid, stable floor. Avoid using extension cords and turn the heater off when you’re not in the room or are going to sleep.
- Clean vents and registers routinely and don’t block them with furniture, drapes, or other objects.
- Never, ever use your stove or oven to heat your home.
- Have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional chimney sweep once a year to prevent creosote build-up, which can start a chimney fire.
- Have your furnace inspected once a year. An annual inspection can uncover potential issues that could lead to more costly repairs, help prolong equipment life, improve operating efficiency, and help prevent a home electrical fire.
- Replace furnace filters every eight weeks or so during the heating season. A clogged filter causes a system to work harder than it should to keep your home nice and warm all season long.
Has it been a year or longer since your last home heating system inspection? If so, it’s high time you contacted Air Professionals for the added confidence you want this and every winter season.