Furnace Safety 101

Furnace safety is a timely topic as another cold winter comes on strong. Since Oklahoma’s among the top natural gas-producing states in the U.S., it’s no surprise that gas heating is the preferred choice for residential use. Like any home heating device, gas furnaces require periodic attention for proper maintenance and safe operation. Here are some furnace safety tips to ensure peace of mind and consistent heating comfort in the the coming winter.

Schedule professional maintenance.

All gas furnaces should receive an annual inspection and preventive maintenance by a qualified HVAC professional. The service includes verifying the integrity of critical components such as the heat exchanger as well as sensors that detect overheating and safety switches that shut down the system automatically. Tests to detect hazardous carbon monoxide gas in the system airflow are also included. Professional maintenance also supports furnace performance and efficiency for optimum heating comfort and lowest operating costs.

Keep the furnace area clear.

Don’t utilize the furnace closet or immediate vicinity to store flammable items such as boxes or clothes. Also, keep combustible liquids in a separate part of the house or garage.

Change the Filter

Change the furnace air filter at least every other month. A clogged filter impedes airflow that may overheat the furnace.

Inspect the Vent Pipe

Visually inspect the furnace vent pipe for deterioration, loosening joints or possible obstructions such as bird’s nests at the roof where the vent terminates.

Verify that the removable front cover of the furnace is securely installed.

New furnaces incorporate a safety interlock to prevent operation without a panel, which could pose a fire hazard. However, some older units do not have this protection.

Check the supply and return vents in each room.

To prevent overheating of the furnace, no more than 20% of the vents in the home should be closed at the same time.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

If you don’t already have them, install carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the home and outside every sleeping area. Replace the battery twice a year.

For more furnace safety advice, as well as annual furnace inspection and maintenance, contact the pros at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Decoration Storage Do's and Don't's

Most homeowners have a collection of treasured decorations that help make the holiday season more festive. You may not realize it, but there's a direct correlation between protecting your decorations while they're in storage and keeping your home and family safe from harm. Here are some decoration storage do's and don't's that can help you accomplish both:

Don't Assume That Decorations Aren't Dangerous

You might mistakenly think you only have to worry about hazards like frayed electric holiday lights or placing a tree too close to your fireplace when your decorations are in use. However, some stored decorations can add fuel to a fire or produce noxious fumes when they melt, such as:

• Boxes and egg cartons used for ornament storage

• Fabric holiday stockings and tree skirts

• Components of wreaths, garlands and artificial trees

• Holiday candles

• Plastic totes and storage containers

Don't Use the Furnace Room for Decoration Storage

If you have some extra space around your furnace, you might be tempted to use it to store your holiday decorations. The truth is, having any of the above items close to a combustion device like your furnace (or water heater) is a serious safety hazard. Other flammable and combustible items that shouldn't be stored near your furnace are fuels like gasoline, paint and paint thinners, aerosol sprays, cleaning and laundry products, wood products, paper goods, cat litter and fabric/textile materials.

Do Choose a Safe Spot for Storing Decorations

After you've carefully packed up your holiday decorations to keep them safe while in storage, here are some potential storage location where they're unlikely to cause any danger:

• The attic. A well-lit attic can be a good spot to store seasonal holiday decor, just don't include items like paraffin candles that may melt.

• Your garage. A dedicated shelving unit in the garage can make a great location for storing decorations during the off-season.

• A bedroom closet. An empty closet in a seldom-used bedroom can give you easy access to stored boxes of holiday decorations.

To learn more safe decoration storage ideas for your Broken Arrow home, contact us today at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, us at 918-217-8273.