If you worry about how safe your furnace is, following safety tips and reading your furnace manual is crucial. In addition, whether your furnace is old or new, it’s vital to maintain it regularly to stay safe.
What key maintenance steps help keep your furnace safe?
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replace batteries yearly
- Never store flammable items near your furnace, keep the area clear
- Replace air filters every 3 months, or every 1–2 months if you have pets
- Clean around and inside your furnace: weekly during winter, monthly when idle, and schedule an annual professional cleaning
1. Use Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Using smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is important because you’ll know right away if something is wrong with your furnace. It’s important to test all of your detectors monthly and to replace the batteries at least annually. This ensures that your detectors are working throughout the year.
2. Don’t Store Flammable Items Near Your Furnace
You shouldn’t have flammable items stored in the same area as your furnace. Even if the items are not touching your furnace, they can still end up causing a fire. Some flammable items include wood scraps, clothing, boxes, fuel for your lawnmower, and sawdust from working with wood in a shop area.
3. Replace Air Filters Regularly
Replacing your air filters improves your indoor air quality and keeps your furnace safer. The air filters in your home should all be clean and inspected every three months. If you have pets in your home, however, replace your air filters every one to two months.
4. Clean the Furnace Regularly
Cleaning the space around your furnace, cleaning the lint and dust on your furnace, and removing the dust inside your furnace are critical to keeping your furnace operating safely. The more it runs, the more you should inspect and clean it. In the winter, clean and inspect your furnace weekly as a good rule. Try to clean your furnace monthly during the times it isn’t running at all. Having it professionally cleaned annually will also keep your heating system safe and running efficiently.
Contact the Heating Professionals
At World Class Services in Westerville, OH, we offer heating repairs, maintenance, and installation services. We also offer services for air conditioning, drain cleaning, and HVAC mini-splits. Contact our friendly staff at World Class Services for more information today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why should I use smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for furnace safety?
Answer: Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors alert you immediately if something goes wrong with your furnace, such as a gas leak or fire. It’s important to test these devices monthly and replace batteries at least once a year to ensure they’re always operational.
Question: Why shouldn’t flammable items be stored near a furnace?
Answer: Even items not touching the furnace pose a fire risk if they’re nearby, things like wood scraps, boxes, or sawdust can ignite if the furnace overheats. Always keep flammable materials well away from the unit to minimize hazards.
Question: How often should air filters be replaced for furnace safety?
Answer: Replace or inspect air filters every three months to maintain safety and indoor air quality. If you have pets, change them more frequently, every one to two months, to prevent clogging and ensure proper airflow.
Question: How often should I clean my furnace and the surrounding area?
Answer: Clean the furnace and its surrounding area regularly to remove lint and dust. In winter, weekly cleaning and inspection are recommended. When the unit isn’t running, a monthly clean is sufficient. An annual professional cleaning also helps maintain safe, efficient operation.
