As with any fuel-burning appliance, your heating system can develop problems. Not only could issues with your furnace lower efficiency, but problems could also become a safety hazard. In order to protect your home this season, here are a few things you can do:
Schedule an Annual Tune-Up
You need to schedule heating repair and maintenance every year. The older your furnace is, the more important this scheduled maintenance will be. Newer furnaces have built-in systems that shut down if a problem arises. Older furnaces don’t have these safety mechanisms, so you need a professional to come by and make sure your system is running and running safely.
Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Virtually every gas furnace will produce some carbon monoxide. A clean, efficient furnace will produce very little and the harmful gas is vented outside. But a poorly maintained, dirty furnace produces larger amounts. And any cracks in the venting could cause leaks. The odorless and colorless gas often produces flu-like symptoms—and can even be deadly. It is best to keep your CO detectors up to date and functioning.
Test the Smoke Alarms
Severe problems with a furnace and a result fire hazard are rare, but they can happen. So along with CO detectors, you also want to make sure your smoke alarms are in working condition. Replace the batteries once a year and clear away any dust that has built up inside the chamber. And last but not least, be sure to never close off more than 20% of the registers in your home. This leads to heat buildup in your furnace and can cause problems.
Clear the Area Surrounding Your Furnace
To minimize the risk of fire hazards, be sure and keep the area around your furnace clean. While it might be tempting, do not store anything near your furnace—most especially flammable materials. You also want to make sure there isn’t anything combustible near your vent pipe.
Change Your Air Filters
You need to replace your air filter three or four times a year, or more if you live in a dusty area. This is a quick and easy heating repair you can do yourself. Just be sure you have the right measurements for your filter.
Furnace Safety Checklist
How do you know if your furnace is safe? Ask yourself these questions:
- Was your heating system installed by a professional?
- Have you had your furnace inspected in the last six months?
- How old is your furnace?
- Do you smell gas?
Call Pelle Heating & Air Conditioning if you Suspect a Problem
If you notice signs that your furnace is having issues, or you haven’t had it serviced in a while, call us today at (669) 219-8957 or come by 1045 N 10th St., San Jose, CA 95112. Our technicians take great pride in their heating repair work and will maintain a clean, orderly environment from start to finish. We know our success is dependent upon our ability to exceed expectations. When you work with us you can expect professionalism, enthusiasm, and thoroughness.
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