Your HVAC system has many components. Some of these components pose certain safety hazards when they aren’t maintained or installed properly. Luckily, most of these hazards are preventable.
The Simple Things
- Install a carbon monoxide detector. We cannot stress the importance of this enough. Make sure to change the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector regularly. Carbon monoxide, “the silent killer”, got its nickname because you can’t see or smell the toxic gas.
- Block children and animals from accessing areas where the components of your HVAC system are. There are many sharp parts all over the system. There are safety switches in place, however, every once in a while those can fail too.
- Have your system maintained by a licensed HVAC technician. Part of a yearly check is to make sure your safety switches are working properly. They check gas lines, electrical connections and anything else that could potentially be a hazard.
- Change your filter monthly. This is important for many reasons. An easy path is created for the air to flow through. The less resistance, the better.
The Less Known Things
Having a carbon monoxide detector is of the utmost importance. Furnaces contain a “heat exchanger.” Over time, sometimes these can get microscopic cracks (and sometimes larger cracks!) These cracks allow carbon monoxide to seep out. Some of these cracks are only visible with a microscope. In this instance, the only way you’d know there was carbon monoxide leaking from your system would be if you have a function carbon monoxide detector in place.
If your carbon monoxide detector does go off, turn your HVAC system off and vacate the house immediately. Have pets? Take them with you. If you aren’t feeling drowsy, feverish or have a headache, you can open windows to vent your home. (If you do have those symptoms, seek medical assistance.) From there, give us a call and let us know what’s going on. We’ll get a technician out to your home promptly to assess the situation. Sleep somewhere other than your home. Once you’ve been informed by a professional that the threat is no longer present, you can return to your home safely.
Frayed wires are a problem. If frayed wires are present on your HVAC system, turn the system off and call us. These pose a fire hazard.
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Check out our blog for other great HVAC tips.