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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:
Apr 30, 2018
Greg and team were amazing! All interaction via email and text 100% professional. From consult to product recommendation their service was phenomenal!
Installed a Napoleon furnace (ecm dc drive variable 2-stage) and it was a game changer for the whole house. Blended air temperature through and through the entire house and its saving us money by cutting down our utility bill by ALOT!
Jun 18, 2018
We purchased a new cooling & heating system from Twintech and the team was fantastic. From sales to installation, the team were great to work with. Friendly (our dog even enjoyed having them over), professional and accommodating. Id recommend Twintech in a heart beat to anyone. Superb customer service.
Jun 4, 2018
End to end service. From quote, overseeing installation, contacting and making arrangements for energy audit. Warranty program is comprehensive. Cleaned up mess of assistant walking through my place without proper indoor foot covering when I pointed out that I was not happy about footprints on my floors.
Jun 11, 2018
In April we hired Twintech Heating & Cooling to replace our 20 year old water tank & 35 year old air conditioner. We got 5 estimates for the job & decided to go with Twintech for the following reasons.
- The Sales Manager, Dave, was very personable & knowledgeable as all of our questions were answered. (We had a list of questions we asked each of the contractors when we got the estimates)
- We got 5 estimates for the job. All contractors verbally told us they had the required qualifications but Dave was the only one to physically show us their license & insurance documentation.
- Twintech carried the Napoleon air conditioner & we wanted to support Canadian industry as it is assembled in Barrie On.
Safety is important at Twintech as demonstrated when we discussed with Dave, the need to change our install date because of freezing rain. Access was required by navigating a set of outside steps & Dave identified that safety took precedence.
On the installation date, Greg, Peter & Grant showed up on time & methodically accomplished the removal & installation of both units. The guys did a great job cleaning up as well.
When the job was completed we mentioned to Greg that we were pleased with the work they had done & were going to have them come out & do our furnace inspection in Sept. Greg said we can save our money as he had inspected the heat exchanger on the furnace while doing the job & there was no need to have another inspection in Sept. We were very impressed with Gregs initiative. This is top shelf service. Thank you Greg.
As the weather was too cool to complete a functional test of the air conditioner on the installation date, Dave made a follow-up call to us to see how things were going & Greg also came out to check the operation. No problems.
We are very happy we hired professionals like Dave, Greg, Grant & Peter & have no hesitation in recommending Twintech Heating & Cooling. They will now be our "go to" guys.
Nov 18, 2018
These guys are the best. From start to finish they exceeded my expectations and delivered a great product. They accommodated the nuances of my 100 year old home which was really appreciated. The install was easy to schedule and done fantastically. Im so excited to have an efficiently heated and cooled home.
Aug 12, 2018
Twintech were fast and efficient contractors. It only took 48 hours between an initial home visit and complete installation. The workmen were polite and hardworking. The site was left clean with the old furnace etc. removed. They helped arrange an environmental assessment in order that I could receive the maximum rebate. They even called me within a week to determine if I was satisfied with their work and to reassure me that I could call them anytime I experienced heating difficulties or had any questions. I recommend Twintech for your heating problems.
Jul 21, 2018
Courteous and professional service from initial consultation through to the installation. We highly recommend Twintech for outstanding service in the industry. Competitive pricing, professional and accurate advice, attention to detail, respect for their client's home and cleaning up at the completion of installation.
Jul 12, 2018
Last night was the coldest day of the year so far and I woke up to my house being 54 degrees... I called Twintech at 2:45am and Greg was on site by 3:30am. The furnace required a part and he returned to his shop and came back to my home around 4:15am, furnace up and running by 4:30am. THANK YOU TWINTECH! Your service is second to none.
Jun 25, 2018
After much research & getting 4 quotes, we hired Twintech team for our new furnace installation, prices were fair, they carried great product brands & more importantly installation was expertly done by one of the owners (Greg & his assistant Peter) which gave me an added piece of mind. Dave was very organized & answered all my questions in great detail, especially re: the Enbridge & Govt. rebate program.
Jun 10, 2018
My old air conditioner was 20 years old and developed a Freon leak and it was more cost effective to replace rather than repair. There are a large number of heating and air conditioning companies available in my area so I contacted several for quotes. Twintech heating and cooling responded quickly to the inquiry I left on their website and their sales person Dave came by the following day. He was knowledgeable about the field and was able to show copies of the various refrigeration and gas fitting licenses along with workmens compensation, TSSA and other certifications. He also suggested a particular manufacturer and model of AC unit appropriate to my house and gave me a quote. Since the price was reasonable, service had been good and the reviews on the internet were also good, I decided to purchase an AC unit from them. Installation was quickly scheduled. They showed up on time, did a good job installing the new unit including some sheet metal work to get the new heat exchanger to fit in the furnace duct, and cleaned up afterward. In addition, they noticed that my existing AC was installed too close to the furnace exhaust (based on building code) and were able to mount the new AC the appropriate distance from the exhaust. Overall, they did an excellent job and were a pleasure to work with.
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