SAN DIEGO, Dec. 6, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- With colder nighttime temperatures blanketing the Southland, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is reminding residents that safety should be a top priority in cold-weather heating.
"It's paramount that home furnaces be properly maintained and inspected annually for 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 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 gas furnaces 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 natural 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, if necessary.
-- 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.
-- Make sure the furnace or appliance is venting properly. Signs
of improper venting include soot around the appliance or moisture
on the inside of windows when the appliance is on.
-- 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 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 3.3 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 800,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. 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). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company.