Furnace Safety Tips You Shouldn’t Ignore
As the weather cools down, households in the Amherst, NY, area will increasingly rely on furnaces to keep their homes a comfortable temperature. Before you turn up the heat, be sure to read the following furnace safety tips from the team at [company name].
Schedule Your Annual Furnace Inspection Now
You likely haven’t turned on your furnace in several months. After months of lying unused, your furnace requires an inspection by a licensed, trained technician. Not only does having your furnace inspected allow you to identify issues that may reduce your home’s energy efficiency, but there are some issues that may compromise your home’s safety if they go unnoticed. Our technicians will check your furnace to ensure there are no dangerous gas leaks, cracks in the heat exchanger, ventilation issues or problems with the ignition system and circuits.
Have Your Furnace Cleaned Annually
In addition to having your furnace inspected, there are maintenance tasks you should have performed on your furnace annually. Your furnace will operate more safely and more efficiently if it is clean. On natural gas furnaces, be sure the flame burns blue. If the flame is orange or red, have the furnace serviced by a licensed technician immediately. When you have your furnace cleaned, be sure to have the filter changed.
Know the Signs of a Damaged Heat Exchanger
Your heat exchanger is the part of the furnace that heats cooler air. A cracked heat exchanger poses a safety risk as toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide, may leak into your home. Symptoms of a cracked heat exchanger include:
- Excess moisture on the windows
- Peculiar odor similar to formaldehyde
- Water on the floor beneath the furnace
- Soot buildup inside or outside the area that houses the furnace
- People in the home experiencing flu-like symptoms
Having your furnace inspected annually will allow you to detect cracks in your furnace’s heat exchanger early. However, if you notice one or more of the aforementioned signs, contact a licensed HVAC technician immediately. We are available 24/7 for emergency repair service.
Know When It’s Time to Replace an Old Furnace
Furnaces are generally long-lasting, durable appliances. However, there will come a time when you need to replace an old furnace. The average lifespan for a traditional furnace is 15 to 20 years. Therefore, if you have owned your home several years or if you purchased a home that has an older furnace, chances are you will need to replace it. Rising energy bills, excessive dust, excessively dry air in your home and uneven heating throughout the rooms in your home are a few telltale signs that indicate you may need to replace your furnace. Unusual noises like buzzing, rattling and humming are more overt signs that it is time to install a replacement. If you are unsure of whether you need a new furnace, your HVAC technician will be able to give you an idea of the age of your furnace during your annual inspection. Your technician will also be able to pinpoint any signs that suggest you should replace your furnace right away.
Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Weekly
Gas furnaces may leak potentially deadly fumes if they are not working properly. Apart from routine maintenance and inspections, your carbon monoxide detector is your first line of defense against toxic fumes. Therefore, it is imperative that you test your carbon monoxide detector frequently to ensure it is working properly. If you have natural gas heating, install a working carbon monoxide detector on each floor in your home.
Trustworthy Furnace Maintenance and Repair Technicians in Amherst
At [company name], we go the extra mile to ensure we deliver an outstanding customer experience every time. We are very mindful of the technicians we hire to ensure you have competent, trustworthy and honest members of our team in your home. We always stand by our work, and you can always count on us to work diligently to ensure your satisfaction. Don’t wait until the cold season is underway. Call us today to have one of our talented technicians inspect, repair or install your furnace. Your safety is a priority for us. Therefore, we want to make sure your furnace is in safe working order to ensure its performance when you need your furnace the most. Contact us today to schedule immediate service. We offer heating, cooling and air purification services. We also provide tankless water heaters.
