We had a pretty great fall in Eastern CT. We didn't have to crank up our furnaces or boilers much. But Old Man Winter's knocking again and it's time to get ready. Here are some ways to prepare your heating system for the winter and keep your loved ones safe.
Heating system maintenance
Because we had such a mild fall, having your furnace or boiler serviced may not have been at the top of your mind. Now that the cold temperatures are here, EVERYONE
has it on their minds. The sooner you call your oil or gas company to have your boiler cleaned, the better. DON'T WAIT! Once there are cold snaps, the schedules get packed and emergencies are frequent. Not only will your boiler be tuned up for efficiency but its safety features will be checked. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious threat during the winter months.
Space heater safety
Space heaters are often used during the coldest days of the year, to provide that extra burst of heat. Sometimes, they are used to help with the cost of heating in between oil fills. Each winter, we see the horrible headlines of families displaced due to a fire. They can be so easily prevented. Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from everything. Don't leave them running when you aren't home. Also, keep the cords out of the way of foot traffic but don't run them underneath a carpet.Seal up drafts
No one wants to see their heating dollars literally fly out the window! Make sure any
drafty areas are winterized. Hardware stores have window kits that include caulking and plastic that won't harm your carpentry. Just make sure you don't cover up any heating vents that could trap dangerous carbon monoxide in! Cleaning filters, registers and baseboards also improve the flow of safe air.
Your local heating specialist
Rapid Service LLC offers winter safety system checks. Our professional heating technicians will perform a safety check on your boiler system to keep your home and loved ones safe. We recommend that you contact your local oil or gas company for burner service, as we don't clean or replace burner assemblies. To make an appointment, please call 860-228-1036.
