The 6 Keys to Furnace Safety
Furnace safety is critical yet often overlooked in an area as warm as Aiken, South Carolina. Gas, combustion, heat, and exhaust all work together to create comfort in your home. However, mishandled or not contained, these elements could cause grievous harm.
The most common type of furnace heats your house by lighting a fire and igniting gas; heating piped cold air from inside your home. A fan then blows the heated air through a tube into ducts throughout the building, distributing the warmer air into all the rooms. This process continues until the house temperature reaches the temperature set on the thermostat, which switches off the gas valve to prevent the flow of more warm air. Exhaust from the combustion process is channeled out of the house through a vent.
Furnaces are highly engineered to run safely throughout their lifetime. But you can take a few steps to ensure your furnace’s safe and proper operation.
Clean the furnace before its first use
Because your furnace has taken the warm months off, performing some maintenance before restarting it is a good furnace safety habit. Clean the heater of all accumulated debris on and around it and vacuum the inside. Make sure the flame is blue or white—that is, it’s burning hot. A yellow or red flame is too cool to run efficiently.
Keep the furnace clear of obstructions
As winter approaches and furnaces begin heating up, their safe operation requires that nothing flammable be left in their vicinity. Remove drapes and curtains, discarded clothing, pet bedding, paper objects, and other clutter from the immediate vicinity of the furnace to ensure that nothing ignites but the gas. Checking routinely throughout the colder months as your run your furnace is a great way to master furnace safety.
Call in the professionals
Preventative maintenance by an HVAC professional is a good idea just before the summer cooling and winter heating seasons. Our team of experts at Holley Heating and Air has the knowledge and equipment to diagnose any issues and repair them before they become a problem. Attempting to do it yourself with a flame and gas could result in catastrophic injuries, so leave it to the pros.
Check and replace the air filter
No matter the HVAC question, regularly changing the air filter is one of the best answers. Replace the filter at least every three months and more often if it becomes dirty. This is a simple and inexpensive way to keep the system running optimally.
Know the Warning Signs
Often, a furnace will send warning signals that trouble is ahead. If you know the signs, you can head off the issue before it causes injury or material damage. If you smell gas, the pilot light won’t stay lit, or the system cycles on and off constantly, those are indications that you need to call your HVAC professional. The same is true if you smell something burning or the furnace is on, but the house isn’t heating.
Practice the Emergency Shutdown Procedures
Everyone in your house should know how to shut off the furnace in an emergency. This skill, and other furnace safety habits, will be imperative to keep everyone safe in case of a gas leak or other dire event. Train the entire family on how to turn off the main shut-off valve located near the furnace.
Holley Heating & Air is your HVAC partner, with more than 100 years of reliable service to the Aiken area. Contact them today to get your furnace in ship shape and ensure the safety of everyone in your home.
