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Heat Your Home Safely and Save Energy
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Cold weather means it is time to fire up your heating systems. Regardless of what type of heating system you use, there are safety tips to keep in mind. All heating equipment should have an annual maintenance check by a professional not only to be sure the appliance is in good working condition for safety reasons, but to also assure it is operating as efficiently as possible. For example:
- Fire places: have chimneys cleaned annually by a professional. This will prevent creosote buildup which could lead to a chimney fire and ultimately a house fire. Only burn slow burning wood and not trash or paper products to reduce creosote buildup.
- Wood stoves: have them cleaned annually by a professional to prevent creosote buildup. Keep a clear circumference around the stove from any combustible items such as paper, furniture, cloth etc.
- Space heater: give space heaters at least 3 feet distance around them. Keep them on a sturdy service to prevent them from being knocked over. Be sure to turn off space heaters before leaving the house or before going to bed.
- Kerosene heaters: be sure to give these heaters ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use approved kerosene fuel and never gasoline or diesel. You should never refill unit indoors or while unit is on.
- Charcoal grills: charcoal grills should not be used as an alternate heating source. These will give off carbon monoxide which can cause illness and even death. To be on the safe side, residents should not only install smoke alarms throughout their home, but also install at least one carbon monoxide detector. Remember, carbon monoxide is an odorless and deadly gas. Carbon monoxide is often referred to as the �Silent Killer�. For more information regarding heating safety or other related topics, please contact Asheville Fire and Rescue at 828-259-5636.
Energy Saving Tips
To avoid high energy bills, set your thermostat as low as comfortable and only change it a few degrees at night or when not at home. If you have a fireplace, be sure the flu is closed, and only use portable heaters for spot heating.
It is also helpful to feep filters in your heating system clean, and to cover bare floors with rugs to retain heat.
Open blinds during the day to bring in sun and close them at night to retain heat.
(Images provided by Wikipedia.)
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