DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When it comes to preparing your home for fall, one of the must-have accessories isn’t just a matter of fashion. It can be a matter of your family’s health.
“Service Experts technicians are in over 2,000 homes and businesses every day. Unfortunately we do find many dwellings without carbon monoxide detectors and others that have not been maintained,” said Rob Haines, Marketing Manager at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. (Service Experts – ServiceExperts.com - is one of North America’s largest HVAC service companies with offices in about 90 major North American markets.) “It’s also common to find homes with carbon monoxide detectors that are way past their expiration date.”
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct of burning material, including wood, natural gas, charcoal, coal, propane and kerosene. The gas is fatal to adults in large doses, and may be fatal to infants, children and the elderly in smaller doses. More than 20,000 people visit hospital emergency rooms every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Non-fire deaths attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning peak between November and February, during North America’s heating season. Household appliances, including furnaces, gas clothes dryers, water heaters, some space heaters, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can emit carbon monoxide, and it is important that they are properly installed and maintained for safety. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auG2eRFDizw
Haines says that, when properly installed by certified professionals, appliances such as furnaces will safely vent carbon monoxide outdoors, and mentions that the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) industry recommends replacing household carbon monoxide detectors every five years, although some newer models indicate replacement after seven years. CO detectors will normally have a date stamped on the casing indicating when a replacement is needed. He recommends testing CO and fire detectors monthly (it will have a “Test” button) to ensure that the batteries and alarm are working.
“As part of our heating Precision Tune-Up service, we test the furnace to be sure it is operating properly and check for carbon monoxide leaks,” said Haines. “Typically, we will check the carbon monoxide detector as well to be sure it is functional, but that is a safety measure the homeowner also is able to do, and should do prior to the heating season.”
Additional tips for keeping the home safe from carbon monoxide include:
- Don’t leave a car running in the garage – even if the garage door is open.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors on each floor and near every sleeping area inside the home.
- Other than a furnace, never use any gas appliance (oven, stove, clothes dryer) to heat the home.
- Never burn charcoal inside the home or garage, and make sure to keep burning wood and charcoal away from vehicles and open doors or windows.
- Ensure fireplace flues are open and chimneys are clear.
Through November 25th, Service Experts will be offering significant discounts on their heating and air conditioning Precision Tune-Ups to ensure that the furnace will operate safely and efficiently throughout the cold season. Discounts vary by location, but some markets are offering as much as 50-70% off. Other areas are offering a free spring tune-up for the air conditioning system with the purchase of a fall tune-up for the furnace. (Service Experts locations can be viewed at ServiceExperts.com/locations.) There are also manufacturer rebates available on select Lennox heating and air conditioning systems (up to $1,700).
“Additional U.S. governmental tax credits of up to $500 for qualifying furnace and air conditioning equipment can be earned through the end of 2016 for energy-efficient models, but U.S. homeowners need to purchase and install their upgraded HVAC system by the end of the year to take advantage,” said Haines. “Government tax credits are not likely to be renewed for 2017, so homeowners should check with their tax-preparer now to see if they can qualify for the credit.”
ABOUT SERVICE EXPERTS HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
Founded in 1996, Service Experts is a leading provider of HVAC repair, maintenance, new equipment sales and related services to residential and commercial customers in 29 states in the U.S. and three provinces in Canada. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Service Experts is North America’s largest heating and air conditioning service company, with 90 locations serving approximately 2,000 homes and businesses, on average, each working day. HVAC services include: residential HVAC service and replacement; ancillary residential home services, including plumbing, indoor air quality and energy audits; commercial HVAC service, maintenance and replacement for both light commercial customers and large-scale national retail accounts. For more information on Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning sales, rebates and products and services, visit ServiceExperts.com or ServiceExperts.ca.
