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Staying Safe With Your Furnace Unit
Posted On: September 15, 2024
Staying Safe With Your Furnace Unit
As the weather turns colder and we rely more on our furnace units to keep our homes warm, it's essential to prioritize safety. Furnaces can pose risks if not properly maintained, including carbon monoxide leaks and fire hazards. To ensure a safe and comfortable environment, here are some crucial tips for staying safe with your furnace unit.
1. The Importance of Furnace Safety
Furnaces are a vital part of home comfort, but they can become dangerous if not properly cared for. Potential hazards include carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and even inefficient heating that can lead to higher energy bills. Regular attention and care can mitigate these risks, ensuring that your furnace operates safely and effectively throughout the winter months.
2. Regular Maintenance
One of the best ways to ensure your furnace operates safely is through regular maintenance. Scheduling an annual inspection with a certified technician can help identify and address potential issues before they become hazardous. A professional can check the system's efficiency, clean components, and ensure all safety mechanisms function correctly.
3. Change Filters Regularly
A dirty or clogged filter can restrict airflow, causing the furnace to overheat and potentially shut down. It can also lead to the distribution of dust and allergens throughout your home. To prevent these issues, replace or clean the furnace filter every 1-3 months, depending on usage and the manufacturer's recommendations.
4. Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be produced by a malfunctioning furnace. High levels of CO can be deadly, so it's crucial to have functioning carbon monoxide detectors installed near your furnace and in sleeping areas. Test the detectors regularly to ensure they are working properly, and replace batteries at least once a year.
5. Keep the Area Around the Furnace Clear
For optimal and safe operation, keep the area around your furnace clear of any flammable materials such as paper, paint, gasoline, and cleaning supplies. These items can pose a fire risk if placed too close to the furnace. Maintaining a clear space around the unit also helps ensure proper airflow, which is necessary for the furnace to operate efficiently.
6. Inspect Vents and Ducts
Blocked or dirty vents and ducts can restrict airflow and cause harmful gases to build up inside your home. Regularly check that all vents are open, unblocked, and clean. If you notice any debris or dust accumulation, clean them to ensure unobstructed airflow. For the ductwork, consider having it professionally cleaned if you notice excessive dust or suspect blockages.
7. Listen for Unusual Noises
Your furnace should operate relatively quietly. Unusual noises such as banging, rattling, or squealing can indicate potential problems like loose components or motor issues. If you hear any strange sounds, it's best to call a professional to inspect the system and prevent further damage or safety hazards.
8. Pilot Light and Gas Leaks
If you have a gas furnace, regularly check the pilot light. It should burn a steady blue flame, which indicates it is functioning correctly. A yellow or flickering flame can be a sign of incomplete combustion and potential carbon monoxide production. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, evacuate your home immediately and contact your gas company for emergency assistance.
9. When to Call a Professional
Certain issues require the expertise of a professional technician. If your furnace frequently cycles on and off, emits unusual odors, or fails to heat your home evenly, it's time to call for professional help. Attempting to fix these issues on your own can be dangerous and may void any warranties on your system.
10. Emergency Preparedness
Despite taking all the necessary precautions, it's important to have an emergency plan in place. Know the steps to take if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off or if you suspect a gas leak. Have the emergency contact information for your local gas company and HVAC technician readily available. Ensuring everyone in your household knows the plan can make a critical difference in a real emergency.
By following these guidelines, you can keep your furnace running safely and efficiently throughout the colder months. Regular maintenance, being aware of potential hazards, and knowing when to call in the professionals will help ensure that your home stays warm and safe all winter long.
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See What Our Customers Are Saying:
Aug 10, 2019
Professionally done and took care to cover all entry floors to the house for the installers to remove the old furnace and install a new furnace.
I also made recommendations of the tankless water heater that we had installed and items to address. We did not know they also installed tankless water heaters.
Jul 21, 2019
Price was not the cheapest nor the most expensive of my quotes. It's the quality of the installation that makes for a good AC system. The twins' knowledge & professionalism was evident in the small details:
Very clean work. Greg made sure that the refrigerant level & temperature were correct. They reinstall the insulation & vapor barrier around the wall. The outside electrical cords were secured to the wall. Proud to support this local company. Thank you.
Jun 11, 2019
Great team of guys came to do the work. Very professional. Arrived on time worked very efficiently and were very clean. They answered any questions we had without hesitation. The air conditioner works great and is so quiet. I highly recommend them and they don't try to up-sell anything right from the start.
May 10, 2019
The service was prompt, professional and very courteous. Competitive price. Would highly recommend this company.
Jul 20, 2019
Excellent workmanship, and quick response. Would recommend Twintech to anyone.
Nov 11, 2019
My existing 15-yr old A/C went down on me during the first major heatwave of the season. Researched my options, as well as a few different installers, and decided on Twintech.
They gave me confidence right from the beginning. Extremely knowledgeable. Their communication was excellent - always responded to questions quickly. Given we were in a heatwave, they were fully booked. However, within days they were able to fit me in due to a cancellation. Upon learning that the Amana unit I was getting installed was on backorder, TwinTech went to bat for me with the manufacturer and was able to get me the next model up within a day, for the same price - Amazing!
As far as the installation was concerned, I couldnt be more impressed. These guys were clearly very experienced and did a fantastic job. Very clean, polite, timely & informative. They even thoroughly sealed all the exposed gaps in my ductwork. Ive had plenty of heating and cooling work done in the past and have never used the same contractor twice because Ive never been very impressed. However, from now on, Ill always be contacting Twintech first!
Jun 19, 2019
They were very friendly and took care of everything. The install looks great (and works great), they were very knowledgeable. Installed our a/c efficiently despite the difficult install location both inside and outside and they made it work.
Jun 12, 2019
Phenomenal service, so glad I found these guys a few years back after being "hosed" badly by 3 other companies. I've recommended them to so many, and they all are so thankful.
May 1, 2019
This company is fantastic. Dave came out and gave me a very honest and reasonable quote, unlike a quote received from another company. I had a bunch of questions that were easily answered and when I had questions regarding heating/cooling a previously unheated room above the Garage, Dave arranged for Greg to come out for an assessment of this new space and gave me his recommendation along with his professional thoughts on all of my options.
These guys have been nothing but Professional, honest and helpful along the way. I can't recall the two other guys doing the install, but they were great as well. Good workmanship, everything was cleaned up and everything functions as promised. I could go on and on about my experience, but it's all positive so what more could you want?
Give them a call, see for yourself. If I had to buy another furnace/AC or heat pump, they'd be my first call.
Apr 16, 2019
I hired twin tech to convert my townhouse heating from electric to gas and install a furnace and a/c unit. I had talked with many other vendors, and received several quotes, but chose them, and very happy I did. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. They were realistic about the timeline for the work, when they could start and how long it would take. (They said upfront, it was their busy season and would need to get back to me in 3 weeks, which they did):
2. They had a quote with options for me. They were clear about the entertainment of what they would and would not do (theyd build duct work, id need another contractor to box in ductwork). This allowed me to plan as I was my own general contractor for my renovations).
3. They spoke to me in a language I understood, neither too technical nor too simple. They answered all my questions as I had them. Everyone is so lovely to work with, the sales team and the contractors who are worked in my home.
4. Its been 4 m since the work was complete. They still answer my emails and my furnace is working very well!
I unabashedly recommend! Price, customer care and quality workmanship were all amazing!
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