As winter settles in, you may find yourself using your furnace more frequently to ensure your space is comfortable for your family. There are many steps you should take to ensure your system is functioning properly, including investing in proper furnace venting.
Our professionals at Genuine Comfort understand how important furnace venting is in ensuring your system is running smoothly all winter long. If your furnace doesn’t have a proper vent or you want to learn how to care for your furnace and vent through the winter months, keep reading to see what our professionals recommend.
The Importance of Furnace Venting
Proper furnace venting is essential for the efficiency and safety of your home heating system. The venting process ensures any gases produced as a result of heating your home are properly removed, preventing the accumulation of harmful gases like carbon monoxide. It also reduces the risk of back-drafting, where gases re-enter the home, keeping your family safe.
Efficient venting is also important to ensure your furnace is running properly. When you invest in proper furnace venting, you ensure your heating system works as efficiently as possible, reducing your overall heating bill throughout the winter. Proper installation, regular maintenance, and timely upgrades are essential for keeping your home safe.
Ensure Proper Vent Installation
You should start the furnace venting process by ensuring your furnace has a proper vent. In some cases, an adequate vent may include slates in your door to allow fresh air. If you live in an older home that doesn’t have proper furnace venting, you can invest in a transfer grill that allows air to transfer out of the space.
Whether you have a vented door or a transfer grill, it is important to ensure this isn’t blocked. By keeping this vent clear, you allow gases to escape the space more easily. If you normally store personal belongings in front of this vent, it is best to move them away to keep your family safe from unexpected gas buildup.
Regular Maintenance
Like many other systems in your home, it is important to remember to schedule regular maintenance for your home’s furnace. It is best to schedule HVAC maintenance at least once a year before you begin using the system more regularly. This gives your professionals an opportunity to spot any problems with your furnace ahead of time.
By scheduling maintenance, you may also catch problems before they become more significant. You may also do a visual inspection of your home’s heating system, ensuring there are no signs of wear, corrosion, or blockages. Not only will this regular maintenance protect your system, but it will also ensure it runs as efficiently as possible all winter long.
Clear Vent Pathways
When dealing with furnace venting, it is also important to check any outdoor vents that may be attached to your home. While your belongings may block vents inside, there is much more debris that can block a vent outside. From seasonal debris like leaves and snow to outdoor furniture, children’s toys, and more, there are plenty of obstacles that can get in the vent’s way.
After wind or snow storms, go outside and ensure the vent isn’t being blocked by any debris that may have been blown in. It might also be a good idea to check your vents at the end of every season, ensuring it’s prepared for the season ahead. Clearing your vents ensures your system can vent properly and the system runs efficiently throughout the coldest days of the year.
Monitor Carbon Monoxide Levels
While you may believe that your current furnace vents are meeting the needs of your home’s heating system, it is still important to monitor carbon monoxide levels to ensure there is no unexpected gas buildup. To keep yourself safe, install a carbon monoxide detector in key areas of your home, especially near your furnace.
Regularly check the device to ensure the batteries are working properly and the device isn’t expired. Your home’s carbon monoxide detector has a seven to ten year life expectancy. After that, it is important to replace the device to ensure it can properly detect the buildup of gas in your home.
Upgrade to a High-Efficiency Venting System
If your home’s heating system has never been updated, it might be time to invest in a more high-efficiency system to improve the heating of your home and decrease your heating bill. Your home’s heating system should be upgraded every 15 to 30 years to ensure it is the most up-to-date, efficient model.
Out-of-date furnaces may experience more frequent breakdowns and cost you more on your heating bill every month. When replacing your furnace, an HVAC professional may also be able to tell you if there is a more efficient way to vent your furnace, keeping your home and new investment safe.
Consult with a Professional For Your Furnace Venting Needs
If you have any questions about furnace venting, it is in your best interest to reach out to an HVAC professional. HVAC professionals can come to your home to determine the best solution for creating a new vent, provide personalized recommendations, and catch any problems with your system before they become more significant.
If you’re looking for an HVAC professional for your Northern Utah home, our team at Genuine Comfort is the team for you. With years of experience installing and maintaining a wide variety of HVAC systems in homes across the Wasatch Front, we’re confident that we can help you with any HVAC needs.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to install a furnace vent or you have any questions for our professionals, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
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