Furnace Checkup Time

Check your furnace before winter.

It’s time to start thinking heat. It’s hard to when the thermometer still hit’s 80 degrees with ease, but those crisp mornings and frosty windshields are just around the corner. Having your furnace cleaned an maintained before it’s needed helps to save you money, and also keeps you and your family safe.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 1,500 Americans die each year from accidental exposure to CO, and there are more than 10,000 injuries each year. Although most CO poisoning happens during a one-time sudden incidence, it is possible to suffer from chronic CO poisoning. This is when someone is exposed to low levels over weeks or months (for instance, due to a faulty oil-burning furnace), and experiences symptoms over that time.

All you should need to accomplish this is some time, and a few tools. You might need a screwdriver, new air filters, a vacuum or shop vac. As with all repairs that involve electricity, make sure the power to the furnace is off, you wouldn’t want your hand caught in a fan or to get electrocuted. When you open the furnace door, turn that shop vac on and put it to use cleaning up all the dirt and debris that has accumulated around the unit. Now that the furnace is cleaned, time to replace that filter. Check any drive belts for excessive play, and look for any other defects that may need attention such as frayed wires. Once you have completed this, turn the power back on at the appropriate breaker and test your newly serviced furnace. If in doubt about anything, call a professional. They are the experts, and will help keep you and your family safe from carbon monoxide and mechanical defects.