HVAC Home Safety Tips You Should Know | Kitchener ON

March 7, 2022

HVAC Home Safety Tips You Should Know

We all depend on our home HVAC systems to keep us comfortable – and in the case of frigid or scorching temperatures – to keep us safe. Still, problems with these systems, if not prevented or addressed early, can cause dangers of their own and lead to property damage, injury, and even death. Read on for some helpful tips about how to prevent these HVAC issues and keep your home and family safe.

Power Down

If you’re having any major problems with your HVAC unit, rule number one is to shut off the circuit breaker for your system before attempting any troubleshooting and to prevent further damage to your unit. Contact an experienced HVAC technician to perform emergency repairs or replacements.

Clear the area

Check around your furnace before you start it for the first time to make sure that there is nothing flammable nearby – items like clothes, paint, storage boxes, aerosol cans, gasoline, or other household items should never be kept near the furnace. Additionally, if you have a gas furnace, be sure that the outdoor exhaust flue is clear – otherwise dangerous and potentially deadly gasses such as carbon monoxide can back up into the house.

Get, Test, and Maintain Detectors

Speaking of carbon monoxide (CO), be sure that you have CO detectors throughout your house, as well as smoke detectors. Since carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas, people are often unaware of a CO leak until it’s too late. You should test all your detectors once a month, change the batteries every six months (even if they are still working), and replace the detectors every ten years.

Avoid Portable Heaters

Many home fires each year are caused by unattended portable heaters. These can be very dangerous and are also costly to run. Also, never use your oven for heating your house. Talk to an HVAC technician about safe and cost-effective ways to properly heat your home.

Regularly Schedule Preventative Maintenance

Finally, it’s wise to have your HVAC system checked regularly: twice a year is recommended, and you want to have your furnace checked before the weather gets too cold, or your AC before it gets too hot. Professional technicians can quickly spot any safety issues that could lead to gas leaks, CO leaks, or cause a fire.

At Advent Air, we’re committed to the quality of the air you and your family breathe every single day, and we want to be sure you and your family stay safe and comfortable in your home. Want to schedule a maintenance visit, repair, or install a new, more energy-efficient HVAC system? Call us at 460-240-5456 or contact us today!