While you want to ensure you keep your heating and cooling systems in good working order, so you and your family are comfortable in both the summer and winter time, you also want to be sure you understand some of the hazards you should be watching for with various forms of heating and cooling. This article will go over some of those hazards, so you have a better idea of what to watch out for.

Fireplace or wood burning stove

A fireplace or wood burning stove is a fantastic way to heat your home. You can enjoy the look of the wood burning while relaxing on a cold winter's night. You can also heat your home for less when you use this form of heating. You can also use the fireplace or wood burning stove as a way to help your other heating system out, so you don't have to use the HVAC system as often.

When you use a fireplace or wood burning stove, you do want to make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house. You also want to be sure you keep the glass door closed on the wood burning stove or keep the fireplace screen shut all the way in front of the fireplace. Your flooring should be hard flooring, such as tile right in front of the fireplace or wood burning stove or ashes can catch the carpet on fire.

Floor vents

If your HVAC system makes use of floor vents then this means the heat or cold will be pushed out from the floor. This can be a good thing in the winter, because it means you will feel it better when the unit kicks on. Since heat already rises, having the heat make its way from the floor up helps to keep the area in the room where you are at warmer longer. However, vents in the ceiling actually work better during the summer when it comes to cooling the house down.

When you have floor vents, you need to be careful that dirt doesn't end up going down them, which can be nearly impossible, since they are in the floor. Also, you will be restricted on where you can place your furniture because you won't want to cover the vents. Pests can also get into the system easier and if something like a mouse squeezes into the ducts and dies, you will have to have professionals come remove it. Plus, you will have to deal with the smell in your home.

Central HVAC systems

Know that central HVAC systems can be costly to have installed, but they are worth their weight in gold afterward. A central HVAC system gives you the most comfortable inside temp throughout the house efficiently. Each room will be kept at one nice temperature and the system will kick on and off on its own in order to keep the temperature steady.

One thing to know about central air is you NEED to make sure you keep the air filter clean. You should also have it serviced annually in order to know it is running correctly. Contact a company, like Shakley Mechanical Inc, for more help.