The winter weather will be here before we know it and that means it’s seriously time to start thinking about your home’s heat. There are a lot of options for how you may choose to heat your home, one of these options is a gas or electric furnace. A furnace, also known as a heater or boiler, is a large heating unit used to heat homes. A furnace is a major investment for your home and it can be a pretty big task trying to decide what type of furnace would be best for your home. Whether you’re looking to install a furnace or you already have one, A/C Masters wanted to share some safety tips with you. So without further ado, here are 7 safety tips for your furnace.
Tip 1 — Keep the lights on
If you have a furnace room, then we highly encourage you to keep the lights working in this room. Having working bright lights will help to ensure that everything in this room is easily accessible. No lights in this room can pose a safety hazard for you or your maintenance man.
Tip 2 — Get a trusted Installer
A furnace is a large component in your home and it can cost a significant amount of money, so when getting one installed trust your team. Getting a furnace installed by a company that doesn’t have certifications, knowledge, or experience can create a very dangerous situation. Make sure that you’re doing your research on the company so that you’re 100% confident they’ll do the job right. A/C Masters has a highly knowledgeable team of experts who can do furnace installs.
Tip 3 — Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance
Just like with any other major appliances/system in your home it’s incredibly important that you stay on top of your furnace maintenance. Getting regular maintenance done will ensure that any little problems are caught and fixed before they turn costly. Keep your family safe and save yourself the risk of major repairs and just get that maintenance done!
Tip 4 — Keep laundry & chemicals away
Depending on the location of your furnace you may be tempted to store chemicals, cleaning products, or even laundry near your furnace. However, these can all be hazards. Leaving chemicals, gasoline, or cleaning products near your furnace is a huge safety hazard. These products are often flammable and should not be near the system that heats your home. Laundry also shouldn’t be hung near your furnace because it can reduce airflow.
Tip 5 — Proper airflow is important
Make sure that the area around your furnace is free of items such as large boxes, shelves, and furniture. Proper ventilation is important to the proper functioning of your furnace. You also want to keep this area clear just in case you need emergency maintenance. Easy access for the maintenance guy will ensure a faster fix.
Tip 6 — Install carbon monoxide detectors
Your furnace can produce carbon monoxide, especially if it’s older or just being used at the start of the heating season. There’s no need to panic, just make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home. These little devices are inexpensive and they can save your life.
Tip 7 — Replace filters
Just like the air filters in your home, your furnace filters should be replaced regularly. Dust, dirt, and debris can build up over time and cause problems. Switching your filters out to new ones can help keep your furnace working properly for longer.
We hope that these 7 tips were helpful reminders for how you should best care for your furnace. A/C Masters also wants to remind you that we have heating services available. Whether you’re looking to get a furnace installed or just need maintenance done, our team of experts is ready to help. Just visit our website www.acmasters.com or give us a call at (757) 847-5252.