The colder temperatures of winter mean your home heating equipment will be working harder than at any other time of the year. Dependence on a safe and properly working heating system is of paramount importance to your health and protection of your family.
While this list may not be exhaustive, it does provide some guidance that can offer peace of mind during the next few months.
- One of the primary ways to detect any potentially harmful issues before they become bigger more expensive problems is to have your furnace, water heater, oil tank and other heating equipment inspected annually. Certified technicians have a skill in identifying small things that can lead to unsafe operating conditions. They can also make repairs and adjustments that will lead to efficiencies and cost savings.
- Direct venting of your oil furnace and water heater can offer cost savings and more efficient fuel burning. If you have a direct vent, it is extremely important to keep it from being obstructed by snow or other debris or obstacles. Anything that can clog vents can either lead to furnaces shutting down or carbon monoxide building up in homes, a very dangerous situation.
- The use of space heaters and fireplaces can be some of the leading causes of home fires. Make sure there are no flammable materials (drapery, furniture, really anything that can burn) within a minimum of one meter (3 feet) from the heat source. Also, make sure none of these heating units go unsupervised. If you leave the room, turn them off.
- Get chimneys inspected annually and cleaned regularly when required to mitigate the occurrence of flue fires and to offer more efficient fuel burning.
- Never use charcoal or propane BBQs, generators, or any outdoor heaters inside your home. The use of these appliances in enclosed areas will emit carbon monoxide gas, which is colourless, odorless and can be deadly.
- Make sure you have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home, and change batteries every 6 months.
- If your furnace isn’t operating or is making loud or unusual noises and/or unfamiliar odours, call for emergency service right away. Experienced technicians will assess your problem and determine if immediate service is necessary or can wait until the next day.
At Scotia Fuels, certified technicians are salaried, local employees that care for our customers and their comfort and safety. If you’re a Scotia Fuels customer, you’ll know you won’t pay anything for annual inspections and emergency service – you pay only for parts if required.
Not yet a Scotia Fuels customer? Call us at 902-453-2121 or visit https://scotiafuels.com/contact-us/. New homeowners can access our complimentary, no-strings-attached inspection of furnace equipment and oil tanks.