As winters start setting in Las Vegas, most people inevitably rely on their HVAC systems to keep themselves warm and comfortable. And there’s no way you’d want your gas furnace, fireplace, or space heater to create any nuisance, jeopardizing the overall safety.
Concerning this, here are some safety tips for using your heating appliances this season.
Home Fire Safety
Winters increase the risk of home fires. Reasons? More wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.
Hence, it is better to be cautious than sorry. Make sure to pay heed to these tips:
- Ensure that your house has a fire extinguisher that everyone in your household knows how to use.
- Clean away all the extra materials around your heating unit, be it rugs, shoes, or other supplies. Set up a gate enclosing the fire area if you have small children or pets in your house.
- Examine your heating unit for any split or frayed cords. Make sure to replace them if you find them damaged in any way.
Get Your Furnace Professionally Inspected
Schedule an inspection and maintenance appointment for heating repair in Las Vegas before you set to use the unit. While opting for the service, keep the following aspects in mind:
- Cleaning of the furnace
- Lubrication of the required parts
- Repairing of any damaged or worn-out components
- Securing the connections correctly
- Thermostat accuracy test
Rest, follow the recommended preventive measures by your technician.
Test All Your Home Alarms
Get your standard smoke alarm and the carbon monoxide alarm system tested once every month, especially during the winters.
Along with this, be sure that your heating appliances vents are free from dirt and debris. This is to avoid any carbon monoxide build-up in your house.
Wood-Burning Stove and Fireplace Safety
Wood-burning elements have been a leading cause of home fires over the decades. The main culprits are the sparks of burning wood flaming out of the main area, catching the nearby materials (rugs and drapes) to ignite.
Therefore, to be on the safer side:
- Maintain at least a 1-meter clear area around your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
- Guard the place with a safety screen to prevent the stray sparks from fleeing.
- Also, clean the pipes of your stove and chimneys regularly to avoid tar and creosote deposition.
- Allow the ash to cool down completely before disposing it of as warm ashes can reignite the fire under certain circumstances.
Don’t Miss Out On Checking Your Water Heater
With the winter chills, your water heater is also going to experience heavy demands. Thus, ensure getting it inspected for any potential safety issues. Also, consider setting your water heater thermostat down to 120°F. This is to ensure you don’t accidentally scald yourself with the boiling water running down your skin.
Our technicians at Pioneer Air are experienced enough to handle all air conditioning and heating issues. And now is the perfect time to schedule your annual maintenance, and check for your heating system. So, reach out to us at (702) 831-4840 for quality HVAC service in Henderson.
