In San Diego, many heaters sit unused for months at a time, and the first cold night is often when a homeowner learns the system no longer works. Morey Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. says scheduling HVAC maintenance before the heating season starts is the simplest way to catch problems early, and to reduce a safety risk that most homeowners cannot see or smell: carbon monoxide.
Why Do Heaters Fail on the First Cold Night in San Diego?
A heater that runs only a few weeks a year can develop problems during the long idle stretch. Dust and debris can build up around burners and in filters, and ignition and safety components can wear without anyone noticing, because nothing has asked them to work since last winter. Catching a clogged filter or a worn ignition part during a scheduled visit can turn what might have been an emergency furnace repair into a routine adjustment.
What Should a Pre-Season Heating Check in San Diego Include?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that fuel-burning heating systems, including chimneys and vents, be inspected and serviced every year by a qualified technician. Professional HVAC services for a pre-season check typically cover the furnace's electrical and mechanical components, thermostat controls, and automatic safety devices, along with the filter, burners and ignition, blower, and venting. The Commission also advises homeowners to ask that the inspection include the venting system, since cracked or blocked vents are one way combustion gases can enter a home.
Does California Require Carbon Monoxide Alarms?
Yes. Under the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 (Senate Bill 183), codified in part at Health and Safety Code section 17926, a State Fire Marshal-approved carbon monoxide device is required in every existing dwelling unit that has a fossil fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage. The requirement took effect July 1, 2011 for existing single-family homes and January 1, 2013 for other existing dwelling units, and a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm satisfies both requirements.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by the incomplete burning of fuels, including natural gas and propane. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 200 people in the United States die each year from carbon monoxide produced by non-automotive consumer products, and that mild to moderate symptoms can be mistaken for the flu. An alarm is a last line of defense, not a substitute for inspection and heating repair. Anyone whose alarm sounds should get outside to fresh air and call emergency services before investigating.
“Most people don't think about their heater until the night they need it,” said Ken Morey for Morey Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. “A scheduled check costs far less than a no-heat call in the middle of a cold snap, and it's the best chance to confirm the system is venting safely. An alarm on the wall should be a backup, not the only protection a family has.”
What Should San Diego Homeowners Do Before Winter?
Morey Plumbing Heating & Cooling, Inc. recommends scheduling a professional heating inspection before regular use begins, testing every carbon monoxide alarm and replacing any that are expired or missing, replacing dirty filters, and keeping vents, flues, and the area around the furnace clear. Homeowners who notice unusual smells, soot, or a furnace that cycles on and off repeatedly should have it looked at promptly rather than waiting for a failure.
Anyone in San Diego County who has not had their heating system checked this year can contact Morey Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. for San Diego heating repair or a pre-season inspection.
About Morey Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Morey Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. is a family-owned, BBB-accredited contractor that has served San Diego County since 2000, providing plumbing, heating installation, heating repair, heating maintenance, air conditioning repair, AC maintenance, and air conditioning installation. Licensed and insured under Contractor's License #967435, the company backs its work with warranties of up to 10 years and offers free, no-obligation estimates. San Diego homeowners searching for heating repair are encouraged to contact Morey Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. at (858) 505-4500.