One of the greatest ways to stay warm in the winter is to cozy up with the family in front of the fireplace, and one of the most efficient fireplaces are gas fireplaces. With a gas fireplace, you don’t have to worry about the mess of wood and ash with a typical log-burning fireplace. Although a gas fireplace still requires cleaning, because dust and dirt can cause build up and clog the ports of your gas fireplace.

Wire connections can also become dirty or loose through the normal wear and tear of operation. A lack of cleaning and maintenance can not only cause your fireplace to burn inefficiently, but gaskets can wear out – leaving the potential to release poisonous carbon monoxide.

While it is recommended that you contact an expert for cleaning, maintenance and adjustments to correctly prevent any issues, there are many things you can do yourself. Keep in mind, you should do these at least once a month.

• Prior to cleaning, check to make sure you have turned the gas valve off. When you have finished your cleaning routine, refer to your owner’s manual for relighting instructions.
• Clean the unit’s glass on the inside and out with a non abrasive glass cleaner. If you are regular in your cleanings, a simple damp cloth will do the trick. Since glass is very porous, if it goes for too long without being cleaned, it can become difficult if not impossible to fully clean.
• Check to see if there is any sort of buildup – such as cobwebs, dust, or dirt and so on – and if so, gently clean it.
• Ensure the glass door is fit on tight and secure by checking the bolts that hold it in place. If your glass door is loose, replace the bolts or other materials immediately, as it will help prevent carbon monoxide from entering the home while the fireplace is in use. Do not operate the fireplace without double checking that the glass door is secured in place.
• When you are cleaning, quickly check to see if the gasket is cracked, or if it is missing any pieces. Refer to your owner’s manual for the gasket’s location. If you find it to be damaged in any way (or are simply not sure) contact a professional to have it replaced right away.
• If your gas fireplace is vented, ensure the outside vent is free of any debris like bird nests or leaves. Like the gasket, ensure there are no cracks or damages to the vent, and if there are, contact a professional to have it replaced.

If you are ever unsure about any aspect of your gas fireplace – heating or otherwise – it is better to contact an HVAC specialist. If you do not already have a carbon monoxide detector, it is best to get one just to be on the safe side.

Media vs. Electronic Air Filters/cleaners

Optimizing your furnace for your family is not just about running efficiently. The quality of air your family is breathing in is very important. Many people have asked “what is the difference between media and electronic air filters?” and “What is best for my family?” Here is a quick snap shot at how these two systems work and why you would want to go with one over the other.

Media Air Filters

• Generally uses fabric filters that can be disposed of and replaced in order to trap particles in order to purify the air in your home.
• As air flows through your filter, large particles are picked up by the fabric/material and smaller particles are attracted to the fibers in the material rather than the air.
• There are a wide variety of media filters that have different efficiencies, fabrics/materials and styles.
• A good quality media filter can assist with tackling minor allergy issues
• Less maintenance than that of an electronic air filter is needed
• Change filter on an annual basis
• No ongoing maintenance or operating costs other than filter replacements in some models.

Electronic Air Filters

• Also known as ionizers or electrostatic precipitators.
• Uses electricity to remove particles from the air that is in your home. High Voltage power causes particles and pollutants to become positively charged and collected onto fin type slots and stay here until the collector is washed.
• Once slightly dirty, it loses its efficiency.
• To be cleaned on a regular basis 3-5 times a year
• Best if you have serious allergy conditions
• Releases small amounts of ozone that can, over a long period of time, cause respiratory issues in those who are sensitive to it.

Although you can get some air cleaners that use a combination of both methods and also may declare that ozone is not released, you may find that one benefits your needs over the other. If anyone in your family has allergies, and little to no reaction to small traces of ozone and you have the ability to clean it on a regular basis, an electronic air filter may be the best choice for you. On the other hand if you find you may be too busy or not able to clean it as often, and your family does not suffer allergies, you may be good using a media air filter. Now that you hopefully have a better understanding of the differences, you can have a more educated chat with your local Barrie heating and cooling specialist to help you make the write decision.

To keep allergens and debris which can cause health issues and breathing problems out of the home or work place all furnaces have some type of furnace filters. These work to attract the pollutants of the air to them and keep them from being spread throughout the entire place by keeping them out of the furnace.

If someone within your home has severe allergies then look for special ones which have high allergen reduction ratings on them. These keep even more of the irritants out of the air system. Regular maintenance and cleaning is required for them to work properly whether permanent or disposable.

Washable types can be easily cleaned by taking them outside and rinsing with a water hose then air drying or even vacuuming. There are many types of filters and knowing the differences will help you decide which one will work best for your office and your home.

The only ones you should never purchase for you home furnaces are called Hepa. These are wonderful for things like air purifiers and vacuum cleaners but will not work on systems as big as ones that heat and cool homes. A very good one is the pleated variety.

These help keep even more pollutants and allergens out of the home by trapping more in their pleats. Types called electrostatic work very efficiently at keeping the air allergen free as well due to the electronic type charge that resides within them.

They work by the charge actually attracting most of the dust and pollens to it instead of them getting through and going straight into the furnace. Activated carbon is another style that differs in looks due to their porous nature.

Pollutants and allergens are absorbed much easier with the electrostatic versions because of their porous styles. These are great to use in your home to rid yourself of odors like pet smells, cigarette or cigar smoke and other nasty smells.

Keeping up with the maintenance of your furnace systems is important in keeping them running smoothly without any costly repairs. Filters can be checked easily by using a simple light bulb. Just put it in front of it and you should see the bulbs shadow clearly if not it needs cleaning or replaced.

Other components also need regular checking to keep your system free from problems. Furnace filters are the easier things but the amperage, thermostat, fuses and checking for any carbon monoxide leaks. This is a very important thing to remember to be safe you could invest in some detectors for carbon monoxide as well.

This article has been posted courtesy of Ontario Furnace Filters.