As a Belleville, IL homeowner, our team at Morrison Plumbing knows the importance of practicing furnace safety during the winter. Here are 10 tips to help you and your home stay safe when getting your furnace ready for cold weather.
1. Keep Snow Away
Snow isn’t uncommon in Belleville, IL, so make sure you’re keeping snow away from your furnace. Ice or snow blocking the intake or exhaust of your furnace can be dangerous and lead to expensive furnace repairs.
2. Clean Around Your Furnace
Airflow is important when it comes to heating your home, so make sure the area around your furnace is clean by sweeping any dust or debris away from the bottom of the unit. We recommend sweeping and inspecting your furnace at least once or twice a month.
3. Keep Kids Away
If you’ve got kids at home during the winter, the last thing you want is for them to explore the furnace. Your heating system can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, so make sure to keep the door of your furnace latched, and any small hands out of sight!
4. Change Your Filter
Air filters are the most important part of furnace maintenance, so change your air filter at least once every three months to lower the risk of winter HVAC problems and maintain good indoor air quality.
5. Schedule a Tuneup
Just like your plumbing system needs maintenance due to clogged drains, your HVAC system needs regular maintenance to stay clean. Before winter arrives, have your furnace and ducts cleaned.
6. Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can lead to serious health problems when people are exposed to it. An improperly vented or malfunctioning furnace can lead to carbon monoxide exposure, so make sure your carbon monoxide detector is working!
7. Test Smoke Alarms
Fires are another potential risk when you have a furnace in your home, so it’s important to make sure your smoke alarm is working in addition to your carbon monoxide detector. You can even install a combo unit during furnace installation that checks for smoke and carbon monoxide.
8. Watch for Problems
It’s smart to keep an eye on your furnace to make sure you catch problems early. If your furnace isn’t providing enough heat, is making a loud noise, or is tripping your carbon monoxide detector, you should call a technician.
9. Take Care of Repairs Early
Nobody likes spending money on HVAC repairs, but it’s a necessary evil if you want to reduce the risk of dangerous furnace problems. If the furnace in your Belleville, IL, home is having any problems, get them fixed before winter arrives and you need your furnace.
10. Use Your Furnace Right
Proper operation is key to taking care of your furnace, so don’t blast the heat and try using a programmable thermostat to maintain a comfortable temperature.
If you need furnace maintenance and repairs in the Belleville, IL, area, Morrison Plumbing has you covered. Contact us today or call us at [hls_phone_number]
