When you’re dealing with a modern gas furnace, you are dealing with one of the most advanced appliances available today— and one that you need to be very careful around as well. It’s important to maintain your home’s heating system season after season, and being aware of some basic furnace safety tips will help ensure your system is run safely and effectively. It’s not difficult to stay safe when heating your home—all it takes is a little knowledge and caution. So before you crank up the heat this winter, make sure you read these furnace safety tips to make sure you have the best possible cooling, heating, and air quality in your home!
Keep the area around your furnace clean and clutter-free
This may appear to be a no-brainer, but it’s crucial nevertheless. They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and a clean furnace area will help prevent any accidents from happening. So if there is ever a problem with your furnace, you’ll be glad you took the time to tidy it up!
Check your furnace regularly for signs of wear and tear
It’s important to catch any problems early on. So take a look at your furnace every now and then to make sure everything looks normal. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, give us a call right away. We can come out and take a look to see what’s going on.
Change your furnace filter regularly
A dirty filter can not only decrease the efficiency of your furnace, but it can also be dangerous. A clogged filter can cause your furnace to overheat, which could lead to a fire. So be sure to change your filter every few months, or as needed.
Don’t try to repair your furnace yourself—leave it to the professionals!
Trying to fix your furnace on your own can be extremely dangerous. Furnaces are complicated machines, and unless you really know what you’re doing, you could end up doing more harm than good. So save yourself the trouble and call us instead. We’ll be happy to take care of any repairs that need to be made.
Keep flammable materials away from your furnace
This should go without saying, but it’s important to keep anything that could catch fire away from your furnace. This includes things like paper, gasoline, and cleaning fluids. If you have any questions about what materials are safe to use around your furnace, give us a call and we can advise you.
Make sure your smoke detectors are working
This is an important safety tip for any time of year, but it’s especially important in the winter when you’re using your furnace more often. Smoke detectors can save lives, so be sure to test them regularly and change the batteries as needed.
Never leave your furnace unattended while it’s on
It’s important to keep an eye on your furnace while it’s running. That way, if there is ever a problem, you can catch it right away and take care of it before it gets out of hand.
If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and call your gas company
If you ever smell gas near your furnace, it’s important to leave the area right away and call your gas company. There could be a gas leak, which can be extremely dangerous.
Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. That’s why it’s important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. If you ever notice any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning—such as headache, dizziness, or nausea—get out of the house immediately and call for help.
Make sure all vents and ducts are clear and unobstructed
If your furnace vents and ducts are blocked, it could cause a fire. So be sure to check them regularly to make sure they’re clear of any debris.
Never use flammable liquids near your furnace
Flammable liquids and furnaces are a dangerous combination. If you ever need to use any flammable liquids near your furnace, be sure to do so in a well-ventilated area. And always keep a fire extinguisher nearby, just in case.
That’s it for our safety tips! Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how to keep your home safe from furnace-related accidents. Remember to keep the area around your furnace clean and free of clutter, check your furnace regularly for signs of wear and tear, change your furnace filter regularly, and don’t try to repair your furnace yourself—leave it to the professionals! make sure all vents and ducts are clear and unobstructed, and never use flammable liquids near your furnace. Another way to help keep your furnace in good shape is to schedule an annual inspection and tune-up with a qualified technician. This will help ensure that your furnace is operating safely and efficiently. And last but not least, always remember to call Momentum AC Services in St. Petersburg at (727) 306-2442 if you have any questions or concerns about your heating system!
