HVAC Safety This Winter

Your furnace provides heated air to keep you and your family warm and cozy during the winter. However, a poorly-maintained furnace can be a hazard to your health and safety. Knowing how to use your heating system properly and which signs signify serious trouble will help to protect your family and your home all winter long.

Get a Furnace Tune-Up

Maintaining your furnace is one of the very best ways to make sure it’s operating safely and efficiently. Schedule a tune-up for your furnace once a year, ideally in the fall or spring when you don’t need to use the appliance regularly. During a tune-up, your HVAC professional will inspect every part of your furnace to ensure it is in proper working order. He will clean dust and debris from the system and check the burners, vents, and fans. Parts that are worn or close to breaking will be replaced to prevent damage to your system and a potential fire hazard. Additionally, if you notice a strong odor or loud noises coming from your furnace at any time during use, turn it off and call your HVAC professional for an inspection and repairs.

Install CO Detectors

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and potentially lethal gas that is naturally produced during the combustion process. Any CO produced by your furnace is vented away from your home by ductwork leading outside. However, a malfunctioning furnace or leaky, dislodged, or otherwise damaged ducts could allow dangerous levels of CO to accumulate inside your home. Install a CO detector near your furnace and on every level of your home. If any of your CO detectors sound, don’t try to find and fix the problem yourself—leave your home immediately and call an HVAC expert to address the situation. Test your CO detectors twice a year to ensure their batteries and electronics are working.

Know the Signs of a Gas Leak

If your furnace uses natural gas to fuel the burners, it’s also important to know the signs of a gas leak. Natural gas has no odor; however, gas suppliers add a foul sulfur odor that smells like rotten eggs to aid in detection of a gas leak. A gas leak may also cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. If you or any family members smell gas or experience symptoms associated with a gas leak, leave your home immediately. Do not turn any lights or electronics on or off, as these could supply a spark and cause an explosion or fire. Call an HVAC expert and your local gas company to investigate the leak and begin repairs; don’t return to your home until you are told it is safe.

These tips will help to keep your home and family safe while ensuring your furnace works properly this winter season. You can learn more about HVAC safety and maintenance by clicking through the articles on our blog. Visit our website for a full listing of our heating, cooling, and indoor air quality services throughout Columbus or to contact an experienced HVAC professional to schedule maintenance or repairs.