Safety Tips for Heating Your Home
Everyone wants to save money on heat, but some people go to extremes. Please follow these tips from our service department so you can avoid household hazards like frozen pipes and electrical and heating fires.
Never set your thermostat below 60 degrees
When your thermostat setting is too low, you risk frozen pipes. Water pipes near outside walls or in unheated spaces are especially prone to freeze-ups. The risk increases if cracks in your foundation allow cold air to enter.
Use space heaters and wood stoves sparingly and with caution
Some people shut off their furnaces and use electric space heaters in the most commonly used rooms. Doing this vastly increases the chance of frozen pipes. Overusing electric space heaters can also make your utility bill soar. If you do use a space heater, always turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep. Always keep pets and children away from space heaters.
Some people also use pellet or wood stoves as a substitute heat source. Stoves need constant maintenance to work safely. Improperly installed stoves increase the risk of a fire.
Let your heating system breathe
Never try to hide the furnace, boiler and water heater by boxing them in. (This is a common mistake people make when they’re remodeling their basements.) With an improperly vented heating system, airflow is restricted, creating negative pressure. If not corrected, the pressure could lead to combustion gases “back drafting” into the home.
Combustion gases usually exit the home through a naturally drafting chimney/vent. Pressures inside the home can interfere with this process and draw the gases into your home.
If you plan to do any remodeling that may affect your heating system or water heater, please feel free to contact us with any questions. Your safety is important to us!
