SAN DIEGO, Dec. 2, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Amidst the colder temperatures blanketing the greater San Diego region, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is reminding residents that safety should be a top priority in cold-weather heating.
"Now is the time to perform maintenance on home-heating appliances to ensure safe operation," said Michelle Mueller, vice president of customer services at SDG&E. "If customers think their heating appliances are not functioning properly, they should call a licensed heating contractor or plumber or SDG&E."
A clean and well-maintained furnace is a safe furnace and is more energy-efficient, helping customers save money on their monthly gas bills, Mueller added.
Failure to perform annual maintenance on your gas appliances may result in exposure to carbon monoxide, which can cause nausea, drowsiness, flu-like symptoms, and even death. SDG&E advises never to use charcoal or gas grills inside the home or garage, even with a door or window open. And do not try to heat a room with a gas range, oven, or clothes dryer.
SDG&E offers customers the following tips to ensure the safe and efficient operation of their natural gas furnace:
-- Have gas furnaces checked at least once a year by a
licensed heating contractor or plumber or SDG&E.
-- Vacuum and clean regularly around the furnace, particularly
around the burner compartment, to prevent a build-up of
dust and lint.
-- Never store items in, on or around the appliance that can
obstruct airflow.
-- Most forced-air units have a filter that cleans the air
before heating and circulating it throughout the home.
The filter should be checked monthly for lint build-up
during periods of furnace use and cleaned or replaced.
-- When installing a new or cleaned filter, be sure to
re-install the front panel door of the furnace properly
so it fits snugly. Never operate the furnace without the
front-panel door properly in place because doing so may
create the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
-- Check the appearance of the flame. If the flame is
yellow, large and unsteady, the furnace needs to be
inspected immediately by a licensed heating contractor
or plumber or SDG&E and the condition corrected to ensure
safety.
For more information on furnace safety, please visit SDG&E's Web site at www.sdge.com.
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.2 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 800,000 natural gas meters. The company's service territory encompasses 4,100 square miles in San Diego and southern Orange counties. Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region's quality of life. SDG&E is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE), a San Diego-based Fortune 500 energy services holding company.