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Owens Residential Service Tech

The importance of an annual heating system check.  

Before you switch your thermostat to “HEAT”, let’s check your system for optimal efficiency, performance, and safety.


A low-cost preventative maintenance check on the heating system in your home could save you hundreds in operating costs, thousands in major repairs, and might even stop the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide gas.

The spend to heat our homes varies depending on the fuel type and region, but on average, in the U.S., we spend $1,200 to heat our homes each year. When compared to total household utility costs, heating accounts for approximately 42% of overall household energy use, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).


For context, U.S. households typically spend anywhere from $2,200 - $2,700 annually on utilities (including electricity, water, heating, and cooling), so heating represents a significant chunk of the total utility expenses.


Reducing heating costs through energy efficiency measures (e.g., programmable thermostats, regular HVAC maintenance, or upgrading to a high-efficiency system) can help lower the burden of heating expenses within the overall utility budget. Another thing to consider, an annual heating system check can save you thousands of dollars by preventing costly repairs or early replacement.


Regular maintenance can help identify and fix minor issues before they turn into major, expensive problems. Components like the blower motor, heat exchanger, and burners can wear down over time, but early detection ensures that small repairs are handled before they cause significant damage.


Routine checks also improve efficiency, meaning the furnace runs more smoothly and uses less energy, which can lower utility bills. A well-maintained furnace is less likely to overwork itself, which reduces wear and tear on essential components. This prolongs the life of the furnace, delaying the need for a costly replacement.


Moreover, technicians can clean the furnace, check for leaks, and ensure safe operation.

Lastly, but most importantly, during your annual heating system check, it’s critical to ensure the vent or flue of a fuel-burning furnace is properly vented and free from cracks or leaks. Fuel-burning furnaces, especially those using natural gas, propane, or oil, produce combustion byproducts, including carbon monoxide (CO). Proper venting ensures these gases are safely expelled from the home, reducing the risk of hazardous exposure.


A thorough hearing system check will undoubtedly find a compromised vent system, such as cracks, leaks, or blockages. However, a carbon monoxide (CO) detector plays a crucial role in preventing CO poisoning and deaths by providing early warnings of dangerous gas levels. Since CO is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, it can build up without detection until symptoms appear—often too late. A properly functioning CO detector continuously monitors the air and emits an alarm if elevated CO levels are detected, giving people time to evacuate and address the source of the leak.


According to the CDC, CO poisoning sends 50,000 people to emergency rooms and causes around 400 deaths annually in the U.S. Many of these incidents occur because people are unaware of a CO leak until they experience severe symptoms.


By simply checking the CO detector during routine annual inspections, U.S. homeowners could see a dramatic reduction in CO-related health issues and fatalities, saving lives and preventing thousands of emergency room visits each year.


This colorless-odorless gas cannot be detected without a device. Installing CO detectors in homes, especially near bedrooms and fuel-burning appliances, can significantly reduce these numbers. CO detectors act as the first line of defense, alerting residents long before CO levels reach a critical threshold. With more widespread use and proper maintenance of these devices, accidental poisonings and deaths could potentially be eliminated. Regularly testing CO detectors, changing their batteries, and ensuring they meet local safety standards can further enhance their effectiveness.


But be aware that not all CO detectors are the same. CO concentration levels are measured in Parts Per Million (ppm). The typical carbon monoxide detector purchased at your local hardware store doesn’t alarm until 70-77 parts per million — when it may already be TOO LATE. We believe every home should have low-level carbon monoxide detectors that will alarm at 15 ppm.


What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” The most common symptoms of poisoning are:

·       Dull headache

·       Dizziness

·       Weakness

·       Upset stomach

·       Nausea or vomiting

·       Shortness of breath

·       Blurred vision

·       Chest pain

·       Confusion

If your home is without a low-level CO detector, Owens Companies sells these. Call us for more information or to order one for your home today.


To schedule your annual heating system and CO detector check, visit our Contact Us page.

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