5 New Year’s Furnace Safety Tips to Protect Your Home and Family
Every year, winter’s cold forces you to rely on your home’s furnace for warmth. Modern furnaces work reliably year after year, requiring only a single annual maintenance visit. However, you must never lose sight of the inherent danger involved in operating a furnace. Here are five furnace safety tips to help safeguard your home and family this new year.
1. Don’t Forget to Replace Your Furnace Air Filter
Most furnaces have disposable air filters that need replacement roughly every 90 days. When you neglect to change yours, it may become so dirty that it obstructs airflow through your furnace. That will have some pronounced effects on your comfort and your furnace’s efficiency. However, it will also force your furnace to run at higher internal temperatures than it should. That increases stress on your furnace’s main components, particularly its heat exchanger. If your furnace heat exchanger cracks, it may let deadly carbon monoxide into your home. Make regular furnace air filter changes a part of your regular winter home maintenance routine.
2. Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Even with regular air filter changes and annual professional furnace maintenance, your furnace can still malfunction. That’s why it’s essential to test your home’s carbon monoxide detectors monthly, especially in the winter. Most detectors feature a test button, making the process simple. You should follow the instruction manuals that came with yours to find the proper procedure. While you’re at it, replace the batteries in all your carbon monoxide detectors. You should also check the back of your detectors to find their expiration dates. If any require replacement, do so immediately.
3. Keep the Area Around Your Furnace Clear
You’ll find the furnace in the average home located in a utility room or closet. It can be tempting to use the space around your furnace for household storage. You should never do so under any circumstances. Generally, furnaces need at least 18 inches of clearance around the back and sides. They need as much free space as possible in the front to allow for maintenance and repairs. If you let clutter build up around your furnace, it can become a fire hazard in a hurry.
4. Examine Furnace Flue Opening Before First Use
Each year, make a habit of checking your furnace’s flue opening before turning it on. You must ensure there are no obstructions or debris in the flue. While your furnace isn’t in use, birds and other animals may choose your furnace flue as a convenient nesting place. They may abandon their nests when your furnace turns on, but the nesting material will remain. That can lead to combustion gases backing up into your home.
5. Schedule a Furnace Tune-up
Even if your furnace appears to operate normally, it may have some issues that compromise its safety. You should schedule a furnace tune-up so an expert can inspect and service your furnace. That’s the best way to make sure your furnace operates safely throughout the heating season.
Keeping your furnace in safe operating condition requires partnering with a reputable HVAC contractor. Call the experts at NC Quality Air for furnace services in Wilmington, NC today.
