Winter Weather is on the way; Be Ready with Furnace Preps, CO Detector Checks, and more Cold-Weather Precautions
Peoples shares fall and winter safety, efficiency tips; resources available for emergency repairs
With fall well underway and winter soon to come, Peoples Natural Gas wants its customers to take simple yet effective steps to save money, improve efficiency, and make their residences safer.
Western Pennsylvania’s furnaces may not be working around the clock yet, meaning now is the perfect time for preventive maintenance. Hiring a qualified professional for an inspection can help avoid larger, costly repairs and safety issues, and there are also simple steps anyone can take:
- Replace your furnace filter regularly. Peoples recommends at least three times during the heating season;
- Keep the space around your furnace clear of obstructions, and avoid storing or using flammable products near any gas or heat-producing appliances;
- Ensure your indoor and outdoor vents are clear from obstructions such as furniture, lint, dust, snow, ice and even bird nests; and
- Consult the Safety section of Peoples website for more appliance safety tips.
Fall and winter also bring a higher likelihood of exposure to Carbon Monoxide (CO). This odorless, colorless and potentially dangerous gas is produced when fuel is burned without enough air for complete combustion. Many CO poisoning cases are caused by faulty, improperly used, or incorrectly vented appliances such as furnaces, stoves, generators, water heaters and fireplaces. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), more than 400 people die annually from CO poisoning, making it the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the country. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, drowsiness or fatigue, nausea, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, loss of color or coordination, and blurred vision.
Preventing CO poisoning starts with installing CO detectors throughout your living space. If you already have CO detectors positioned outside bedrooms and in the basement, now is the time to ensure they’re still working properly and replace batteries if needed. In addition to regular inspections of your heating system, vents and chimneys, CO poisoning can be prevented by proper use of gas-powered equipment ranging from grills and ranges to generators and automobiles.
“Anyone can take small steps that make a big difference, such as putting a new filter in the furnace or testing CO detectors this fall,” said Ron King, Peoples Vice President of Operations & Maintenance. “We encourage everyone in our community to take the time to ensure their appliances are operating safely and efficiently.”
Additionally, Peoples offers numerous resources for customers in need of assistance, such as its Usage Reduction Program and Emergency Repair Fund. These programs focus on assisting qualifying customers to make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes, or with urgently needed repairs to furnaces or the customer-owned portion of a gas service line. If you or someone you know needs assistance, call 1-800-400-WARM (9276) or visit peoples-gas.com/help to learn more.
