Some days, spring still feels like it’s never going to get here, doesn’t it? We’ve certainly had our fair share of frigid days in Cleveland this winter, and we’re all very thankful for our furnaces, which have been working hard to keep our homes comfortable and cozy this season.

That said, as we do, unfortunately, still have another month or so of winter ahead of us, it’s important to ensure your furnace is not only running as efficiently as possible, but that it’s running safely, too.

Furnace Safety Tips for Winter

Most furnaces have built-in safety features to keep them from situations like overheating or sensing if the flame has gone out, and some even have an air pressure switch, which can detect if carbon monoxide or other contaminants aren’t venting properly from the system. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure your furnace is not only keeping your home warm, but that no one in your family is at risk due to a malfunctioning system.

Here are five furnace safety tips to keep in mind the rest of this winter – and next winter, too:

1. Mark your calendar for an annual furnace maintenance check. You should’ve scheduled your annual furnace check earlier in the fall, before the cold weather really hit. If you didn’t, make sure to get one on the calendar for this year. An annual maintenance check is vital to making sure all components of your system are working properly, plus the technician will also check for issues like frayed wiring or a cracked heat exchanger, both of which could lead to safety hazards.
2. Change the air filter regularly. If your filter is dirty, air cannot flow through your system as it should. Plus, dirt could build up on the components and cause all sorts of safety and efficiency issues. Additionally, a dirty air filter could lead to the system overworking, increasing the chances of a carbon monoxide leak.
3. Install or test your carbon monoxide detector. Speaking of carbon monoxide, if you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, there’s no time like the present to pick one up at your local hardware store and get it installed in your home. If you already have a detector, test it monthly to make sure it’s working properly.
4. Change the batteries in your smoke detector. A working smoke detector is key to your family’s safety should any sort of fire break out in the home, but too often we forget to perform the simple task of swapping out the batteries. If a severe malfunction were to occur in your furnace, fire could be a real concern, so make sure your smoke detector has fresh batteries several times throughout the year.
5. Clear the area around your furnace. One simple furnace safety tip is to simply keep the area around the unit clear of any sort of debris. Don’t store things or let belongings pile up near your furnace, and it goes without saying that flammable items should never be placed by it.

If you have any questions about how to keep your furnace running both efficiently and safely the rest of the winter, the team at Efficient Heating and Cooling is ready to help! If you’re in the greater Cleveland area, contact our team today! Or, give us a call at 216-663-6462.