Taylor HoltWinter puts your HVAC system under more stress than any other time of year. It also creates specific safety risks that homeowners should be aware of — from carbon monoxide to frozen pipes to fire hazards from portable heaters. A little preparation goes a long way.
Start with your carbon monoxide detectors. CO is produced by gas appliances, including furnaces, boilers, and fireplaces, when they don’t burn completely. It’s odorless and tasteless, which makes functional detectors essential. Make sure yours are working and replace batteries before the heating season starts.
Keep your vents and flues clear. Snow and ice can accumulate over outdoor exhaust vents during storms, causing dangerous backdrafts inside the home. After heavy snowfall, check that your furnace or boiler’s exhaust vent isn’t obstructed. This is especially important for systems with PVC exhaust pipes that exit through the side of the house close to the ground.
Don’t run portable space heaters unattended, and keep them away from curtains, bedding, and other flammable materials. Space heaters are a common cause of residential fires in winter and should only be used as a temporary solution, not a primary heat source.
Make sure your heating system has been serviced recently. A furnace or boiler that hasn’t been inspected in a year or more is more likely to develop problems when it’s working hardest. A pre-winter inspection can catch issues before they become emergencies.
For more detailed guidance on winter HVAC safety, learn more from resources put together by HVAC professionals who see what happens when these precautions are skipped. Preparation now means fewer problems when the coldest nights arrive.