Furnace safety requires special attention as it can pose a threat to you and your family if proper precautions are not taken.

Here is a list of simple tips on furnace safety do’s and don’ts. Not only will these actions keep your family out of harm’s way, but they will also impact how well your furnace functions.

Furnace Safety Do’s:

Make space

Since furnaces and hot water heaters are powered by electricity or fossil fuels such as oil, propane or natural gas, it is important to ensure the furnace has adequate space for proper ventilation. You will also want to ensure, where possible, that there is enough space to allow for any potential maintenance or repair work.

Annual check-ups

It is highly recommended that you have your furnace cleaned and checked every year by an HVAC contractor with TSSA registration. The older the furnace, the more important this service is. Newer gas furnaces are equipped with many features that shut the furnace off when a problem is detected. Older furnaces have no such devices.

Over time, furnaces can develop small cracks in the combustion chamber. These cracks may not be visible to the naked eye. It is through these cracks that odourless and colourless carbon monoxide can leak into your home. It causes flu-like symptoms, disorientation, confusion, and even death.

Change your furnace filter regularly

The filter is usually found just inside the front cover of the furnace. It may have its own access door on the front of the furnace. A clean filter will help your furnace burn more efficiently and will help keep dust from being circulated through your home. Keep the burner area of your furnace clean. Furnaces that require lubrication on the motors and bearings should be attended to by a qualified heating technician once a year.

Keep it clean and safe

Tidy your furnace area regularly. Be sure to vacuum and clean around the furnace and the burner compartment to prevent any dust build-up.

Furnace Safety Don’ts:

  • Don’t store any unnecessary items in your furnace room. Furnace rooms should be kept clear of the clutter that can obstruct service and maintenance work as well as interfere with how well your equipment runs.
  • Don’t store anything that is combustible such as gasoline, and paint thinners within six inches of your vent pipe.
  • Don’t leave used filters or old furnace parts lying around.
  • Don’t hang laundry or clotheslines from your equipment. It’s a major fire hazard, and it can also impact airflow and your equipment’s ability to ventilate properly.
  • Don’t place kitty litter near the furnace. The ammonia fumes from the litter can corrode the furnace’s heat exchanger and the odours can circulate throughout the home.
  • Don’t keep any cleaning or laundry products near the furnace and ensure they are stored them in airtight containers.

HVAC maintenance is a small investment and the best way to avoid significantly larger investments in repairs when something serious goes wrong with your furnace.

For more information and tips on furnace safety, contact Lambton ClimateCare’s service specialists today to set up an HVAC maintenance plan to meet your needs.

Sources:

http://www.healthsafety.com/articles/home-furnace-safety-tips

https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/repair-maintenance/boiler-and-furnace-safety-tips

Sign up to receive helpful home comfort tips and reminders

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
climatecare logo
energystar logo
hrai logo
tssa logo
wsib logo
carrier logo