When cold snaps arrive, a reliable home heating system is needed to get through them safely and comfortably. All homeowners should practice safe heating to ensure the utmost safety of their families and their homes. Below, we’ll discuss some practical heating safety tips to implement throughout the upcoming winter season.
Ensure Safety Devices Work
One of the most important safety tips is to ensure you have well-functioning safety devices. These include fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. Before winter, replace the batteries in your detectors and test them to ensure that they’re working correctly. Additionally, check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher to ensure that it’s still valid. You should promptly replace expired fire extinguishers and malfunctioning detectors.
Schedule Heater Maintenance
Another must to ensure safe system operation is a professional maintenance service for your heater. We recommend this service before the colder weather settles in, so you can ensure your system is working properly. It’s never a good idea to wait until you need to use your heater to start it for the first time of the year. This could lead to potential issues and may even leave you with an inefficient or non-operational heating system.
Use Space Heaters Appropriately
A popular option for providing spot heating for areas like a home office, garage, or even a bedroom is a space heater. One thing to keep in mind is that space heaters are one of the leading causes of household fires. Always place your space heater on a flat and stable surface away from any bedding, rugs, paper, or even curtains that could otherwise catch fire.
Never use an extension cord or power strip, and always plug the space heater directly into your wall outlet. Additionally, never run your space heater when you are away from home or when you are going to bed.
Practice Fireplace Safety
If you opt to use a fireplace to create a lovely ambience during the winter, be mindful of how you are using it to ensure you are being safe. Apart from getting routine chimney cleaning to remove any creosote buildup, you can take other steps to stay safe while using your fireplace during cool weather. Check the damper to ensure that it’s open when lighting a fire to ensure smoke goes outside instead of backing up in your home. Only use seasoned firewood, as green wood can create excessive smoke and soot buildup in your chimney.
Seal Off Drafts
One of the biggest contributors to overworking heating systems that malfunction is household air leaks. Wherever the cold winter air can penetrate your home’s exterior walls, it will reduce your indoor temperature. In turn, your heating system has to run longer to compensate for the temperature change. It’s best to seal up air leaks on your exterior walls. They typically develop around door and window frames and at your electrical outlets and light switches.
Respond to Issues Promptly
From time to time, your heating system may malfunction. The key is to identify the issue as soon as possible, so you can shut off your system before more damage occurs. Some of the most obvious signs of a problem include burning or smoky odors, unusual sounds during operation, yellow burner flames, and constantly tripping circuit breakers. If you recognize any of these signs, shut your system off and give us a call right away so we can repair your unit swiftly.
Consider Upgrading Your Heater
If your existing heating system is over 20 years old, it’s likely time for an upgrade. We suggest upgrading in the fall. This will maximize your energy savings throughout the colder season and even allow you to take advantage of the best system discounts of the year. Far too often, homeowners wait until their unit completely fails to get replacement service. This isn’t a good idea, as it can leave your home and family without heat for days until a new unit is available for installation.
Expert Heating Maintenance Service
Of Course! Heating and Cooling offers expert heating maintenance service for the Yucaipa, CA community. We can also assist with all your heating repair, installation, and replacement needs. Simply give our office a call today to schedule your next heating service appointment with one of our exceptional HVAC technicians.
Today!
