Stay Safe This Winter: Gas Furnace Safety Tips

When the weather cools down, it’s time to turn the furnace up. There’s nothing quite like being in a cozy, warm house on a cold winter day!  Furnace safety is of critical importance for keeping your family safe throughout the winter. Check out these tips so you can enjoy the warmth in peace all winter long. Plus, several of the tips increase the efficiency of your furnace, which can increase its lifespan and reduce your energy bills!

Schedule Annual Furnace Maintenance

First things first! It’s important to have a professional inspect your furnace before you turn it on for the start of the season. Not only is this a safety measure, it will also increase your furnace’s efficiency, which will lead to savings on your energy bill. Who doesn’t like saving money? (If you’re serious about saving money and peace-of-mind, check out the Shanklin Savings Club.)

Again, this tip is first for a reason. It’s not just recommended by heating professionals (like the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute); it’s also recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (or CDC). Having a qualified technician perform furnace maintenance annually is essential. Our furnace maintenance includes a mechanical inspection, safety check, and performance testing. Our highly trained technicians will also inspect other systems, like your thermostats, so your furnace can perform at peak output.

Contact us today to set up a maintenance appointment or ask any questions about your annual furnace maintenance that you may have.

Regularly Change Your Filter

This is something you can do yourself. If you need an update, your technician can show you. Having a clean filter enables your furnace to be more efficient. It also helps prevent dust from being circulated in your home or, worse, a carbon dioxide leak.

Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Test your carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. A carbon monoxide leak is a serious safety hazard and is an indication of a malfunctioning furnace. Because carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, it is essential that you have working carbon monoxide detectors. The CDC recommends changing your carbon dioxide detector batteries every year. They also recommend getting a carbon monoxide detector with a digital display so you can see the level of carbon monoxide concentration in your home.

Keep the Area Around Your Furnace Clear

Make sure that all objects are a safe distance away from your furnace, especially anything flammable or combustible like paint thinner, wood chips, etc. Take a few minutes to clear the area in front of your furnace if it’s not already clear. This is an important step in preventing a fire.

Don’t Close More Than 20% of the Registers in Your House

If you’re wondering what registers are, don’t worry. You likely know what they are but just don’t know what they’re called. Registers are the vents where the air from the ducts comes out into the rooms of your house. They have grilles that allow the flow of air to be adjusted, so you can restrict the air flow to a particular area or room. This is very helpful for shutting off the air in an unused room. However, it’s important to make sure that more than 20% of your registers aren’t closed at one time. This can cause heat build-up and high resistance in your furnace.

Contact Us if Anything Seems Strange with Your Furnace

If you think anything might be wrong for any reason, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We may be able to simply answer your question on the phone or we may schedule an appointment to assess the situation. In the event of an emergency, we’re accessible any time of day or night! Simply call Shanklin and press “1” for emergency service, and a team member will get back to you right away. We don’t want you to be left in a cold or dangerous situation, no matter the time of day or if it’s a holiday. That’s why we offer 24/7 emergency HVAC repair services.

Don’t Forget the First Step

As we mentioned at the start of our list, annual maintenance before the start of the season is crucial! Give us a call or send us a message to set up an appointment today. We serve Stark, Wayne, and Summit counties in Ohio. Remember, if you’re serious about saving money (and getting great service) don’t wait to join the Shanklin Savings Club. You should see savings on your monthly energy bills AND you’ll get 15% off all repairs and half off diagnostic changes if you’re a member. Sounds pretty great, right? Contact us today to schedule your annual maintenance or ask any furnace safety questions you may have.

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