It’s Never Too Early to Start Thinking About Your Heater! Keep Safe With Our DIY Safety Tips!

We’ve survived the San Diego heat wave…almost…but don’t wait until it’s cold out to have your heater checked out! At Bill Howe Heating & Air, the San Diego heating experts, we recommend having your heater tuned-up as soon as possible so that you can rest easy knowing that it will safely turn on and work the moment you need it.

Our San Diego heating professionals have the knowledge, experience and expertise to ensure your heating and cooling systems are running at peak performance. When it comes to heating, San Diego residents have trusted our advice for years. Plus, our San Diego heating experts not only fix any issue large or small, but we pride ourselves on educating customers about their systems in an attempt to help preserve the longevity of their units.

Safety is a top priority at Bill Howe so we’ve included some steps you can take to make sure your heater will keep you warm and won’t compromise your safety:

1. Keep the area around your furnace clear. The outside gets very hot, creating a fire hazard if materials are stored too closely.

2. Change the filter on your furnace once a year and be sure to clean the filter regularly. Over time, filters can be blocked by debris such as pet hair and dust, reducing airflow and creating a fire hazard.

3. About once a year, vacuum the fan blower with a heavy-duty vacuum like a Shop –Vac® and check your vent pipes to ensure there are no worn or damaged parts. Remember to turn off the power to the unit BEFORE doing this.

4. Heat exchangers should be regularly inspected to check for cracks and ensure that carbon monoxide is not leaking into the air ducts. Because they’re trained to find problems with your heating, San Diego HVAC technicians will be able to keep your system running smoothly by replacing any worn or broken components. This should be a high priority to ensure your system is running safely and efficiently.

5. Lastly, if you have a gas furnace, examine the pilot light for flickering and color changes. Ask someone to turn up the thermostat as you are doing so, but be sure to turn the system off for at least five minutes before starting. If you see changes, there could be an issue with the heat exchanger; so it’s best to call a professional.

For questions about these tips or to schedule an appointment regarding your heating, San Diego residents please give us a call at 1-800-BILL-HOWE (1-800-245-5469).