HAVE YOU HAD A HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTION LATELY?
When winter is around the corner it means that your furnace will soon be seeing a lot of use. Now is the time to prep your furnace and get an inspection to make sure it is proper working order. According to the United States Fire Association 54,500 heating fires occur in residential homes each year. Did you know that heating systems are the number 2 cause of house fires? The three leading factors that cause your heating system to catch on fire are operational error, misuse of heating equipment and mechanical failure. Many of these fires can be prevented through proper maintenance and proper use of heating equipment. You can prevent these kinds of fires by scheduling yearly maintenance on the furnace, boiler and chimney with a certified HVAC company. Something as simple as a ball of lint in your furnace could catch fire if it goes unnoticed.
Before you will be relying heavily on your furnace it is a good idea to pick a mild day to turn it on to see how it’s running. It’s better to find out if you have any issues before temperatures drop. Scheduling a yearly duct cleaning performed by a HVAC professional isn't a bad idea either. This can prevent obstructions that can block the passage ways that lead to your furnace.
Remember to change your furnace filers often. On average, it’s suggested that furnace filters should be changed every three to four months.
If a fire starts in a chimney or the flue, it is most likely caused by old and crumbling materials that easily catch fire. The continuous heating and cooling of the bricks causes the inside of the chimney to degrade overtime. Because of this, the bricks and mortar can easily catch fire. Ask your HVAC technician about installing or inspecting your chimney liner. This is a metal liner that hooks up to your furnace and goes all the way up the chimney out to the roof. This liner prevents combustible materials from coming in contact with the heat from the furnace. Liners can also boost your systems efficiency by providing a better draft vent for the combustion gases the furnace or boiler create.
Fires that originate in the boiler or furnace are most likely due to a system malfunction or the presence of combustibles in or near the system. Have you ever noticed a burning smell when you first start up your heating system? That smell is derived from dust, debris and other combustibles that have built up inside your furnace or boiler overtime. Once your furnace is ignited those combustibles are burning up. If you let your heating system go without proper maintenance then it can take a toll on the system causing it to work harder. This often leads to a malfunction in the system that can ultimately lead to a fire.
Virtually every gas furnace produces some amount of carbon monoxide. A clean and efficient furnace will only produce minimal amounts while dirty furnaces can produce deadly amounts. Carbon monoxide is color less and odor less and can cause flu like symptoms, disorientation and even death. If you haven’t had a furnace inspection in awhile it is a good idea not only for your heating system but also for your health.
