Tag: scary

Homeowners Beware!

Halloween is a time of year when people voluntarily get the creeps. Between spooky costumes and decorations, homeowners strive to make their homes a safe haven from the trappings of this eerie season. However, the real horror show is at home. 

The HVAC in a home is supposed to be one of the things that makes a home comfortable, but too often, it is the source of problems that can do more than send shivers down the owner's spine. As temperatures drop and everyone fires up the furnace for the first time, here are a few common haunting problems this time of year.  

Carbon Monoxide Leaks From Gas Appliances

There's nothing better than coming in from a cool fall night and getting toasty by a fireplace or enjoying the furnace's warmth. While all of the wood and gas-burning appliances in the home are intended to be comforts, there are times that they can be the source of harmful, invisible threats. 

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that is the byproduct of combustion. Home sources of carbon monoxide can be anything that produces a flame, like:

• Clothes dryers
• Water heaters
• Furnaces
• Boilers 
• Gas stoves
• Fireplaces

Carbon monoxide presents a serious threat to health. Serious exposure can require hospitalization. Even short exposure to carbon monoxide can cause symptoms of: 

• Headache
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Chest pain

Since carbon monoxide can't be detected by humans the best way to stay safe is to maintain all appliances and install carbon monoxide detectors in the recommended places. 

Mold Growth From Excess Moisture 

Mold growth may seem more of a summer problem since it thrives in a humid environment. However, mold can grow rapidly during any season, and certain conditions may speed its growth during the fall. 

Condensation is a major contributor to mold growth, and this time of year, condensation is everywhere. Most often, condensation forms when cold and warm air meet. Cool fall temperatures meeting warm air from furnaces is the perfect recipe for condensation inside air ducts and around windows. 

If musty odors are constantly present in a home, then mold growth is hiding somewhere. Scheduling fall maintenance and using dehumidifiers during this season can inhibit its growth. 

Tips to Prevent Overheating Furnaces 

Modern furnaces are very safe appliances. Decades of hard-learned lessons have taught manufacturers that furnaces can never be too safe. But, even with numerous safety devices, accidents can lead to overheating furnaces that may lead to fires. Prevention is the best path to take to stay safe from overheating furnaces. 

The first step in preventing an overheating furnace is regularly changing the filter. Clean air filters installed every three months allow for free air movement through the furnace. This allows heat to be more efficiently moved and greatly reduces the likelihood of overheating. 

Secondly, fall heater maintenance is the next best step in keeping heaters safe. Fall maintenance allows a professional to address any problems that might compromise safety. Additionally, it will help the heater run more efficiently, saving money in the long run. 

About 360 Air Tech

360 Air Tech is the local choice for heating and cooling maintenance and repair. Background-checked technicians are always ready to offer same-day service to address safety and comfort issues. Call today to get on-time HVAC service in Williamsburg, VA. 

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