The best way to keep a home warm through the heavy cold of a Staten Island winter is with a natural gas-powered furnace. Few other types of heating systems can provide the level of heating a gas furnace can, so even homes that have trouble with drafts can enjoy the right amount of heating to stay warm. Natural gas is a less expensive energy source than electricity and propane, which helps make those winter utility bills much easier to bear.
However, gas furnaces do require some special cautions to keep them operating safely. We don’t want to give you the impression that these heating systems are inherently dangerous. But any appliance that burns natural gas has the potential for the leak of toxic emissions and combustion hazards, no matter how many safety precautions are built into it. We want you and your family to have a worry-free winter with your furnace, and here are steps to help that happen:
Heating maintenance!
We mention regular heating maintenance often, because it’s that important! In the case of a gas furnace, maintenance allows for skilled technicians to make safety inspections and find places where there may be leaks or cracks in the heat exchanger. You can have important repairs done if necessary so the furnace will be in the ideal shape for the winter. We offer a maintenance plan to provide heating and air conditioning maintenance, along with other benefits.
Act fast on repair warnings
Be aware of warning signs that your furnace is malfunctioning. These include strange noises you aren’t used to hearing (especially clicking after the blower turns off), acrid odors from the vents, a drop in airflow, or cold spots around the house. The sooner you have the repairs professionally done, the lower the chance of the furnace becoming hazardous.
Clear the area around the furnace
The furnace is usually in the basement or the garage of a home. These are also areas where homeowners like to store items. But nothing should be stored within a foot of the furnace. Be extremely cautious of paints and paint thinners, which are highly flammable.
Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors
If you use natural gas in your home, in any fashion, then you must have CO detectors in different rooms. These are inexpensive devices but they can be lifesavers. If CO levels rise because of a malfunction with the furnace, the detector’s alarm will go off, alerting you to leave your house and call the gas company. After the problem is resolved, contact us for repairs before turning the furnace back on.
Caution children about the furnace
Make sure that any children in the house know not to play around the furnace. The exterior of the furnace grows hot when it’s running.
To arrange for any furnace repair in Edison, NJ you may need, contact us. Along with natural gas furnaces, we work on a wide variety of heating systems, such as boilers and heat pumps. We’ll help keep your gas furnace working safely through the winter.
