Northwest Iowa — With the beginning of October and the return to some cooler temperatures, now may be the time to start thinking about getting your furnace ready for winter.
MidAmerican Energy experts tell us you should have a qualified heating technician check your furnace each year to ensure that it is running safely and efficiently. You should also change your furnace filter at least every three months to reduce the amount of energy your furnace uses to keep warm air flowing through your home.
Black Hills Energy experts tell us that a home furnace inspection should include a burner ignition system cleaning and check, a pilot safety function check, a fan belt check, blower, oil motor, and bearings cleaning and check, a standard filter check and replacement, a check for accuracy of your thermostat, a high limit safety function check, a check of the burners to ensure proper firing, and a check for flue leaks and proper venting.
Most furnaces nowadays run on natural gas or propane. Natural gas comes to your home in pipes, whereas propane is delivered to your property and is kept in cylindrical tanks. Most gas safety messages are the same, whether you’re talking about natural gas or propane. Experts say the one big difference is that natural gas rises, and propane sinks.
Aaron Alons is Heating Manager for Sanborn Propane, and he says the first thing to do if you smell gas is to leave the building immediately.
Alons says propane and natural gas have a very distinctive odor.
Alons suggests annual maintenance of your furnace and other gas appliances to avoid safety issues.
