Cold Weather Is Back In Monmouth County

Cold weather means the return of running your heating equipment, and Precision Tech wants to make sure you do it safely. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, “Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. Local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 48,530 fires involving heating equipment each year” 

In NJ fires started by, electrical failures/malfunctions, unclean heating units, heat sources being too close to combustibles, mechanical failures/malfunctions, and short circuits far outweigh the other forms of residential fires, and servicing your heating equipment is a big step to prevent these causes.

Heating Equipment Safety

The last thing you want is to find out about a gas leak too late.

It is important to have a professional look at your heating equipment. Professionals will check the overall safety of the units as well as for a variety of other issues like gas leaks, the safeties on the gas furnaces, the amp draw, or the electricity draw, and they will make sure everything is proper on the air handlers and electric heating units.

Saving Money By Servicing Now

While safety is a priority, it’s not just about safety, you can also save money by properly servicing your heating equipment. Servicing your heating equipment at the beginning of the season is the best way to save money in the long term and ensure your home or business is being heated properly.

It’s Not Too Late

Now is the perfect time to get your heating equipment in the perfect order to save money throughout the season.

According to the NFPA, half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January & February. Now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment to have your heating equipment properly serviced. 

More NFPA Safety Recommendations

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment such as a portable space heater, fireplace, wood-burning stove, or furnace. The three-foot safety zone includes furniture, drapes, electronics—anything that can burn.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Never plug a space heater into a power strip or “multi-plug.” They should be plugged directly into an outlet.
• Do not overload extension cords or outlets and do not place an electrical cord under a rug. Dispose of older, fraying extension cords.
• Always use only the type of fuel specified by the manufacturer for fuel-burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Do not burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood, or wrapping paper in a home fireplace.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.

More info from the NFPA