Dominion Hopes Offers Furnace Saftey and Gas Conservation Tips
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on October 21, 2016
- Clearing the furnace area of any dust or combustible materials;
- Cleaning dust from the blower compartment;
- Testing the thermostat to ensure the heating system works as it should;
- Checking the safety components on the heating equipment, such as limit controls and pilot safety and pressure switches;
- Checking the flue to ensure it is clean and open. Any fuel that does not burn completely can create harmful levels of carbon monoxide. The gas can collect in a home if a fuel-burning appliance is not working or venting properly;
- Don’t forget to check other gas appliances such as water heaters, gas logs, vent-free heaters, ranges and clothes dryers.
Conservation Tips
- Caulk and weather strip windows and add door sweeps beneath doors.
- Close off unused rooms. There’s no reason to heat these areas.
· Install storm windows and doors; they can reduce heat loss in these areas by 50 percent.
- Turn down the hot water tank’s thermostat to medium.
- Reduce cooking time and energy by covering pots, pans and casserole dishes.
- Don’t peek. Every time the oven door opens, consumers pay a penalty of 25 degrees from lost heat.
- If the gas flame on a cook top is visible on the sides of the pan, lower the setting to conserve fuel.
- Always dry full loads of clothes to make the best use of appliances and energy dollars.
· Clear the lint screen on dryers after each load for the quickest drying.
- Keep a kitchen timer in the bathroom, and cut shower times to three minutes.
- Switch to lower water temperatures for clothes washing and rinse in cold water.