Furnace Safety 101
In Illinois, you rely heavily on your furnace. Cold temperatures are uncomfortable and dangerous. Not being aware of furnace safety is also dangerous because it can lead to fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, running a furnace safely is easy. Here’s everything you need to know about furnace safety.
Your Furnace Needs Professional Cleaning Every Year
Vacuuming the outside of your furnace and the vents in your home — a maintenance task that you should do once a month — isn’t enough to properly maintain your furnace. It also needs professional cleaning once or twice a year. Because of the cold climate in Chicago, we recommend twice a year. You can have your furnace professionally cleaned through furnace maintenance.
Other helpful tasks are completed during professional furnace maintenance, such as inspection of the internal components and lubrication of moving parts. Fritch Heating & Cooling, Inc. offers furnace maintenance in Peoria, Illinois, and the surrounding areas. We use top-quality products and employ NATE-certified technicians.
Clogged Air Filters Can Cause Fires
Your air filter needs to be changed as frequently as every month. How often you need to change the air filter depends on your furnace’s make and model. Check the manufacturer’s details to know how often you should replace the air filter. When the air filter is too dirty, it can no longer do its job of filtering out pollutants. The buildup of dust and lint can lead to fires as well.
Blocked Airflow Decreases the Oxygen in Your Home
Never put items in front of the furnace or vents. There should be a few feet of clearance around your furnace or vents to maintain healthy airflow and to prevent fire hazards. Flammable and combustible materials that sit too close to the furnace can catch on fire. Also, be sure to leave 80% to 100% of your furnace registers open. When the airflow is blocked, your furnace may also begin taking oxygen from your house and heating different areas of the residence unevenly.
You can count on Fritch Heating & Cooling, Inc. whenever your furnace needs maintenance, repair, or replacement in the Peoria area. We offer financing options on approved credit for the installation of new appliances. We also provide indoor air quality services to help ensure you’re breathing clean air free of harmful pollutants. Our company is a Lennox premier dealer and maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Contact us today if you have any questions on furnace safety or if you’re in need of our services.