Out of sight out of mind is a reality of life that plays into many situations – especially when talking about your furnace and water heater. These wonderful appliances are tucked away in a part of your home that is generally kept out of sight which makes them easy to forget about. However, your furnace and water heater need the same care that other important home appliances need. This is especially true when talking about their ventilation systems.
At Clean Sweep 317, we know how to take care of water heaters and furnaces. What many homeowners don’t realize is that by properly caring for their ventilation system you can extend the life of your appliance while maximizing its efficiency. To ignore proper water heater and furnace ventilation is to needlessly waste energy and money. Not only that, but unmaintained ventilation can pose a danger to your home and those who live there.
Ready to schedule an appointment with our team? We’re here for you. Give us a call or reach out online today.
How Often Should These Chimneys Be Inspected?
It’s typically recommended to have a professional inspect your water heater and/or furnace chimney at least once a year. This can help identify any issues early on and ensure that the system is operating safely and efficiently. In addition to professional inspections, it’s a good idea to visually inspect any chimneys on your own, periodically. Look for signs of damage, corrosion, or any issues with the venting system. Older water heaters may require more frequent inspections as they are more prone to wear and tear.
If you notice any unusual odors or sounds, or if your water heater is not functioning as expected, don’t wait for the annual inspection. Have it checked by a professional immediately!
Why Is Proper Water Heater & Furnace Venting Important?
Venting is the process of directing harmful exhaust gases out and away from your home. These gases are formed when fuel combusts. In both water heaters and furnaces, the process of combustion is important to generating that wonderful heat that you need and love during cold months. The byproducts of combustion include carbon monoxide and other harmful gases, and issues with venting can cause real problems for your heating systems, as well as the health of those who rely on those systems.
Avoiding Fire Hazards
When your chimneys aren’t venting correctly, the likelihood of your home catching fire is increased dramatically. The residue and debris that can build up within your ventilation system can be very combustible. If allowed to build up too much, the increased heat created as your system is overworked can ignite these combustion byproducts and cause dangerous fires. This leads to extensive property damage and even loss of life. It’s not a risk anyone can afford to take.
Fortunately these problems can be avoided with regular maintenance, and Clean Sweep 317 is your greatest ally in making sure you are staying safe and saving money. Our professionals can work with you to make sure that your system is working at its best and keeping you as safe as possible.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the most dangerous risks of improper ventilation. When not vented properly, this invisible and odorless gas can build up and become very dangerous very quickly. As it builds it forces breathable oxygen out and essentially suffocates those caught within it.
Each year in the United States over 100,000 people visit the emergency room with various degrees of carbon monoxide poisoning. Of those 100,000 cases over 420 of them will die. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning mimic the flu and range from headaches and nausea to dizziness, unconsciousness, and even death. Properly venting your water heater and furnace and providing them with the routine maintenance that they need is vital to keeping your home safe from this poisonous gas.
Maintaining Energy Efficiency
Properly venting your water heater and furnace offers another important advantage even beyond safety. When vented correctly, the overall performance and efficiency of your heating systems are improved greatly, providing more heat and less pollution.
When the byproducts of combustion are easily directed away from the home, your appliances are able to work optimally which leads to lower energy costs. When residue and debris are allowed to build up within the ventilation system, however, your appliance has to work harder to operate which means an inefficient system, higher monthly heating costs, and a lower life span.
Caring for Your Ventilation System: Call On Us
No matter what chimney systems your water heater and furnace use, maintaining them and caring for them is crucial to getting the most out of your appliances. Keeping them free of debris, clean, and in good health will save money over the long term. That is where Clean Sweep 317 comes in. The professionals here at Clean Sweep 317 are experts in cleaning and maintaining chimneys of all types, including those used in your water heater and furnace ventilation system.
Our techs are able to inspect your ventilation system and offer ways to maximize its efficiency and save you money. We spot little problems within the system before they become dangerous problems.
We love our customers and we love our community. Call us today to schedule a routine inspection to ensure your ventilation systems are working at their best.