Furnace and Utility Safety Tips for Winter

The cold weather has West Michigan furnaces working hard. With a long winter ahead of us, it's a good time to review safety tips to ensure a safe and warm winter season.

"We want customers to know how important it is to keep meters, fresh air vents and furnace exhaust pipes clear, particularly after weather that brings heavy snow and ice buildup,” said Michele Kirkland, Consumers Energy Vice President of Energy Operations.

Consumers Energy offers these tips:

• Keep gas and electric meters clear of snow and ice. When snow and ice is allowed to build up, it can become compacted and freeze, causing damage that interferes with proper operation of meters and related appliances. Snow should be removed only by hand, never with a shovel or power snow removal equipment.
• Mobile home customers: Safely clear snow away from mobile home rooftop chimneys, fresh air intakes and furnace exhaust pipes. The furnace can then be re-cycled and should operate properly.
• High-efficiency furnace customers: Make sure the fresh air intake pipes (typically two white plastic pipes that come out of the side of the home) are free from drifting snow to prevent obstructions and improper operation.

Stay safe and warm this winter.