Stay Warm and Safe This Winter

With the winter season we all tend to spend more time inside trying to stay warm. While sometimes curling up with a blanket and drinking hot tea will do the trick, Chief / Bauer Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is here with a couple tips on how to stay warm (and safe!) this season.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Verify you have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors installed on every floor of your home, specifically near bedrooms, and test them to make sure they are functioning. Since CO cannot be detected because it is odorless and invisible, it’s crucial that you have functioning CO detectors to make sure your family is safe.

Get Your Chimney Inspection

This is the ideal time of year to get the fireplace roaring, but before you do, make sure you have your chimney cleaned and checked by a professional. The fireplace may be a source of CO if you don’t keep it regularly cleaned and maintained.

Be Careful with Space Heaters

Space heaters are typically safe, energy efficient, and an effective way to heat small rooms of your home, but verify it has been authorized by a recognized testing laboratory and has an automatic shut-off feature. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions and make sure it is placed on a hard, level surface at least 3 feet away from any flammable products.

Furnace Tune-Up

With a Precision tune-up from Chief / Bauer Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning in Champaign, we will perform a safety check of your heating system to be sure there are no leaks or CO issues. Along with a Precision tune-up, verify your heating vents are not blocked and that you’re swapping out your air filter every 30 days. This will avoid the air flow from becoming restricted and help stop allergens from irritating respiratory issues.

If You Need Help Staying Warm, Ask

There are correct ways and wrong ways to keep your home warm – using the oven, a grill, or a camp stove are all wrong ways. Using these products to heat your home could cause a fire or a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide. If you need support paying your energy bills, visit NeedHelpPayingBills.com to find a service close to you.

To be sure your home is ready to keep you safe and warm through the winter, call Chief / Bauer Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 217-689-2469 today.