Reduce Your Home’s Fire Risks With Regular HVAC Maintenance
While performing routine maintenance on your home comfort systems might seem like a lot of work, it’s a small price to pay to avoid experiencing a house fire. Because fires can start anywhere in your home, it’s always best to reduce the chances of a house fire with careful preparation. Make sure you’re observing National Fire Prevention Month by preparing your HVAC system for winter weather!
5 HVAC Maintenance Tips That Help Prevent Fires
Shelf That Idea
Many use their HVAC units as extra storage, especially if they are in the basement or attic. However, using your heater or air conditioner to stack boxes, paint cans, cleaning supplies and other chemicals is extremely dangerous. Make sure the space around your HVAC unit is completely clear so flammable substances cannot interact with any running systems.
Installation Errors
It’s not always easy to tell if your heater or AC was installed correctly. However, if connections are not accurately fitted, a spark could ignite your unit and lead to catastrophic results. Regular maintenance will ensure any installation errors are corrected before major problems arise.
Gas Leaks
Now that winter is coming up, it’s crucial that you prepare your heating systems for dropping temperatures. Furnaces and heat pumps can develop cracks, leaking dangerous levels of carbon monoxide into your home. This colorless, odorless gas is not only flammable but also extremely poisonous. Make sure you schedule routine maintenance for your Carbon Monoxide detectors as well as your heating system, so your technician can repair any minor damages before they turn into major problems!
Integrate Your Systems
Modern technology now enables the integration of HVAC systems and fire alarms, so your home can be equipped with a few of its own defense mechanisms! If a fire does occur, some integrated alarm systems will alert your HVAC to go into Smoke Control mode, which allows it to adjust to the changing air pressures and keep smoke from spreading. Additionally, when smoke is detected, certain integration operators will automatically turn on all of your lights so you and your family will be alerted of the danger right away.
Gas Connections
High pressure within your system will cause your heat exchanger to overheat, while pressure levels that are too low result in condensation. Gas levels typically fluctuate to a dangerous degree if the system has not received maintenance in years or if your gas line needs repairs. Both increase the likelihood of breakdowns and fires, so you may want to consider contacting an expert for a maintenance check-up to avoid leaks, poor air quality and unpredictable furnace function.
If you have any questions about fire safety habits in your home, call Alco Air at (903) 309-1333 for more information! We would be happy to help in any way we can!