FURNACE MAINTENANCE FOR A COMFORTABLE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT AND TO PREVENT POTENTIAL PROPERTY DAMAGE

Many residential and commercial properties rely on furnaces to provide a warm and comfortable indoor environment during cold weather.  Like all systems in a building, a furnace requires preventive maintenance to ensure that it is working properly and efficiently, is not a safety hazard, and is providing good indoor air quality (IAQ).

A large percentage of homes in North America rely on a central forced-air furnace that is powered by natural gas, fuel oil or electricity to heat air that is then transferred throughout the property through ducts. A furnace that is not working properly could be wasting energy and even threatening the health of building occupants if combustion gases, such as carbon monoxide, are entering the building’s air.  Forced-air furnaces can also cause indoor air quality issues by spreading particulates and even mold and other allergens throughout the structure if the system’s air filtration is lacking or the ductwork is contaminated.

“Furnaces and other types of heating equipment are also the cause of many fires throughout the United States,” said Tom Allen from Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters, LLC. “In fact, the National Fire Protection Association reports that heating equipment was estimated to have been involved in over 53,000 home structure fires that caused over $890 million in direct property damage as recently as 2011.  It’s critical that combustible materials are kept away from furnaces and heating equipment and that they are properly maintained and serviced.”

To ensure the system is working properly, it is a good idea to have it checked at least annually by a qualified professional.  The property damage and insurance claims experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters recently sponsored an educational video that discusses many of the steps involved with having a furnace inspected.  The video can be seen at: https://youtu.be/j3NKuIkgdMY

Residential and commercial property owners in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey who have suffered property damage due to a faulty furnace that has caused fire and smoke damage or ghosting (particulates settling on surfaces) can turn to the experts at Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters to file, manage and resolve their insurance claim. Their public adjusters represent only policyholders to ensure all damages are recognized, documented, handled properly and settled fairly.