Furnace Fire Facts & Maintenance

Winter is upon us and that means the inevitable in the Chicago area – we need to maintain our furnaces. When we hear it click on, we anticipate two things; the warmth that stops our feet from freezing and the assurance that the unit will work for another season. But to guarantee that those two things will happen, your unit should be regularly maintained. Doing so not only confirms you’ll be warm this winter but can also keep you safe from dangerous and destructive fires.

Fire Hazards Near Your Furnace

A furnace is usually installed in a utility closet, garage, or basement, places that are also often used as storage areas. Because of that, many items may end up too close to the heating equipment, causing a fire hazard. To keep this from happening, there should be a 6-foot radius clear zone around your unit. It’s especially important to keep flammable items away, such as:

• Rags
• Clothing
• Paper
• Cleaning chemicals
• Gasoline
• Paint
• Kerosene

Fire Hazards in Your Furnace

Don’t panic! Your heating unit is safe if it’s well-maintained. According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment fires are the second leading cause of home fires, and nearly half of the fires in Chicago occur in December, January, and February when heating units run a lot.

Here are ways to decrease the odds that your heating unit will experience a fire:

• Change the air filter every three months. When it gets too dirty, airflow is restricted, causing your furnace to not only work less efficiently but may eventually cause the motor to overheat.
• Have professional maintenance done on your unit yearly. They’ll check for and fix items such as faulty parts or bad wiring, which can cause the voltage to go too high. They’ll also check the bearings. When they’re tight, worn, or dry, motor bearings can get hot and eventually catch fire.

The professionals at ServiceMaster By Simons routinely inspect heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ducts. Keeping them clean can extend the life of the equipment.

Fire Hazards Due to Gas Leaks

If you use gas to heat your home, a gas leak could occur. This might happen if gas lines or certain furnace components are damaged or faulty. Gas line safety is critical to fire safety as gas leaks cause natural gas to build up in the home and could cause a fire or explosion. Throughout the cold Chicagoland winter, be aware of the signs of a gas leak and call an HVAC and furnace repair service immediately if you experience:

• The smell of sulfur or rotten eggs
• High gas bills with no other explanation
• Difficulty breathing
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Nose bleeds
• Dizziness

Plan for the Worst

There’s an old saying that you should hope for the best but plan for the worst. So, keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and near any heating equipment, and make sure each room has a working smoke detector. By having your HVAC unit regularly maintained, you’ll not only save money, but you may also save your life by preventing a furnace fire.

If the unthinkable does happen and you experience a fire from a furnace or any other source, call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons. We’re a highly reputable, licensed, insured, and endorsed provider of fire restoration services in the Chicagoland area. In addition to our years of experience, our Fire Damage Restoration technicians have been highly trained in fire mitigation, restoration systems, and corrosion control. We also require continuing education to learn about new techniques and equipment to better serve you in your time of need.