As chilly autumn nights set in, it’s a good time to check smoke and CO detectors and schedule annual furnace or fireplace maintenance.
Illustration: home heating system with technician , elenabsl / Shutterstock.com
Some people hold out longer than others, but if you haven’t turned on the heat, your resolve will soon be tested --chilly nights are on the way.
Expecting furnaces and home heating appliances to work properly, year after year without care, is a recipe for an expensive emergency house-call.
But even more importantly, the National Fire Protection Association reports that faulty heating equipment is the leading cause of fires and fire deaths in U.S. homes. The experts recommend a yearly checkup to avoid both fires and the buildup of harmful and deadly combustion gases in your living areas, such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Do this today
The first thing every homeowner or renter should do, before turning on the heat or lighting the stove, is to replace the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Many newer units combine the functions and have built-in lifetime batteries, such as this one from First Alert, but it’s still important to make sure the device is within its serviceable timeframe, which is generally 10 years.
Central heating systems
Next, schedule a home heating system checkup and maintenance. As well as keeping you and your family safe, regular furnace maintenance can save money in more ways than one. Max Alexander of This Old House Magazine points out “A clean, well-adjusted heating system will save you money on fuel and prolong furnace life.” In addition, proper care could save you from the costly repair of broken pipes and water damage, by preventing a winter heating failure. However, aside from changing filters and bleeding radiators, furnace maintenance work is best handled by licensed HVAC professionals. Hometips.com describes the process a licensed contractor might follow for the yearly checkup of a number of common central heating systems.
Photo: Yellow Labrador puppy sleeping in front of a fireplace , Diane Diederich / Shutterstock.com
Other Methods of Heating
If you heat with a stove, fireplace, or vented combustion space heater, be sure to follow the recommendations relevant to the unit and type of fuel you are burning. These appliances present a different set of possible problems and maintenance needs --including regular chimney cleaning. Wood burning in particular can cause creosote buildup that can ignite inside the flue, and as with any form of combustion, carbon monoxide is an insidious danger that can easily kill. Wood smoke is also a known cause of respiratory irritation, and people with allergies or asthma can benefit from a clean burning, well-sealed appliance. Like central heating, it’s recommended to hire a professional to perform annual maintenance for all types of decentralized combustion systems. You can find a local professional and useful tips through the National Fireplace Institute.
Electric space heaters
A portable electric heater can be an efficient way to supplement inadequate heating or customize the temperature for individual occupants. Electric units are the only type of unvented space heaters that are recommended for use in your home, since they don’t produce combustion gases. However they still cause an estimated 6,000 burns and 25,000 home fires in the US each year, and should be used with caution. The U.S. Department of Energy advises purchasing a unit that has a tip-over safety shutoff, and to avoid using extension cords.
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