We all want our homes to feel nice and comfortable as the climate shifts with each season, but without regular maintenance, your heating or cooling system could pose certain risks to the health and wellbeing of your family and loved ones inside your home.
Here we highlight a few of the ways regularly maintaining your heating or cooling system can keep you safe.
Prevents harmful toxins from circulating in the home
When not properly maintained, heating and cooling systems can allow a range of potentially harmful toxins and impurities to circulate through the home, including:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): When in high concentration, exposure to CO2 can affect respiratory function and the central nervous system, leading to difficulties in breathing, an elevated heart rate, clumsiness and fatigue.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s): VOC’s are chemicals containing carbon which can be emitted from a range of products commonly used in the home which can cause a range of short- and long-term adverse health effects. These are typically found it household items such as cleaning products or in adhesives used in upholstered furniture and carpet among other things.
- Dust and Dust Mites: Dust can be a common cause of nasal inflammation and eczema, and is also a known trigger of asthmatic episodes.
The filters in heaters and air conditioners are very effective at purifying the air before it’s released into the home, but when not maintained properly , there is nothing to prevent these toxins from circulating throughout your home.
Minimises the risk of house fires
Poorly maintained systems can also lead to an increased risk of devastating house fires.
When dust is allowed to build-up in gas heating systems, it can lead to blocked fans, air filters and airways. The burner can also become blocked and prevent the heat exchanger and flue passageways from working as they should, causing the unit to overheat.
The parts and components in air conditioning systems can also become worn or damaged over time—regular maintenance and safety checks can identify any potential issues before they become a major fire risk.
Regular cleaning and maintenance will prevent dust from accumulating in the system, significantly reducing the risk of malfunction and house fires.
Identifies a potentially deadly Carbon Monoxide leak
Gas heating systems have been known to leak Carbon Monoxide (CO), a potentially deadly compound which is also known to cause a range of other serious health issues including neurological damage, cardiac trauma and brain damage – and in the most serious cases, death.
Known as the ‘silent killer,’ and offering little to no warning signs, you can’t smell, see or taste CO, making it near impossible to detect if there is a leak in your home. The most reliable way to see if your heater is leaking CO is to engage a licenced gasfitter to conduct regular safety checks of the system to ensure it is safe to use.
Maintaining your heating or cooling system
Conducting some basic maintenance tasks like cleaning and changing filters and undergoing regular service and safety checks performed by a licenced technician (at least once every 18-24 months), will ensure you can operate your heating or cooling system safely, posing little to no risk to your family and loved ones.
If your heating or cooling system is overdue for a service, contact HeatCool to arrange a visit from a licenced technician.
