In our previous blog post, we wrote about how important it is for you to get timely heating maintenance done. One of the reasons why this service is so important is due to safety–as we stated, maintenance can help to identify and address any problems that could prove dangerous in the future.
Now, this isn’t to say that your furnace is inherently dangerous! But when it’s not properly maintained, or if you fail to keep up on repair needs, it can become hazardous. This is true whether it’s a gas-powered system or an electric-powered furnace. Read on to learn more!
This is especially true if we’re talking about a gas-powered furnace. Gas furnaces are not inherently dangerous. But they can become so if they aren’t properly installed or cared for. You see, your gas furnace has heat exchangers within it. When your furnace cycles on, these heat exchangers are filled with hot combustion gas. That heat gets transferred to the air that’s then blown into your home, without ever making contact with the gases. The problem is, if the heat exchangers are damaged during installation, they can allow harmful carbon monoxide gas to leak into your home. We cannot overstate how hazardous this can be. Electric furnaces have a lower risk, but that doesn’t mean they can’t present safety issues. With various electrical components and wiring, you want a qualified professional to conduct the installation for you.
Furnaces Need Maintenance
This applies to any type of heater, as well as air conditioners. Homeowners are often likely to think that their electric furnace doesn’t need as much maintenance as a gas furnace would, but this isn’t the case. Annual maintenance gives our experienced professionals the chance to find things like loose wiring connections, frayed wires, malfunctioning sequencers, cracked heat exchangers like we mentioned above, corrosion, or anything else that could lead to the early demise of the system itself, or a safety hazard. The Area Surrounding Your Furnace Should Be Cleared. The exterior of your furnace, whether its electric or gas-powered, heats up. Therefore, you don’t want anything that could be flammable stored by it, or anything that’s sensitive to heat. This can include gasoline jugs, piles of newspaper, paint thinner, housecleaning supplies, etc. We typically recommend that you clear out about 5 feet around your furnace. This also helps our team access the system in the case of repairs or maintenance!
You’ll Need to Change the Furnace Air Filter
The furnace’s air filter is in place to protect the furnace system itself from dust, dirt, and other debris that can get inside and damage its sensitive components. A clogged up air filter will restrict airflow and cause your furnace to wear out faster, and it can also create safety issues if it causes the system to overheat.
Changing your air filter is something you should do for both your furnace and your forced air cooling system every 1-3 months, depending on the type of filter and the level of contaminants in your home. For professional furnace service in Kingsland, GA and beyond, contact HendrixAir, Inc. today. Delivering friendly, five-star service, every time!