Tips for Home Heating Safety — Bob Boldt HVAC | Kitchener ON

Your furnace works hard to keep you and your family warm while also trapping dust, allergens, and pollutants in the system’s filter.But this winter-long work horse can pose potential hazards if not maintained properly. In fact, it is estimated that furnace malfunctions are among the leading causes of residential fires each winter, affecting roughly 1 in 7 homes.Reduce your risk of a fire by following these important heating safety tips.

• First and foremost, make sure each level of your home is equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, including all bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test the alarms once a month to ensure they are functioning properly and replace batteries every six months.

• Keep flammable objects a minimum of three feet away from all heat sources, including wood or pellet stoves, fireplaces, radiators, and space heaters.

• If you rely on a portable space heater for some added heat, make sure it meets UL safety standards. Also, never use a space heater with a frayed or damaged cord. Choose one that’s properly sized for the room and place it on a solid, stable floor. Avoid using extension cords and turn the heater off when you’re not in the room or are going to sleep.

• Clean vents and registers routinely and don’t block them with furniture, drapes, or other objects.

• Never, ever use your stove or oven to heat your home.

• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional chimney sweep once a year to prevent creosote build-up, which can start a chimney fire.

• Have your furnace inspected once a year. An annual inspection can uncover potential issues that could lead to more costly repairs, help prolong equipment life, improve operating efficiency, and even uncover and prevent home heating fire hazards.

• Replace furnace filters once a month during the heating season. A clogged filter causes a system to work harder than it should to keep your home nice and warm all season long.

Now you see at least one reason annual preventive maintenance is so important. With the Bob Boldt team on the case, you can depend on a thorough high-quality cleaning and inspection for the sake of improved heating and added safety. Why not call today to schedule service.