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Heating and Air Tips
Keeping your heating and cooling systems in good working
order
means your utility bills will be lower, your home will be more comfortable,
and you’ll need to call
for repairs less often.
Maintenance
Scheduling
Give yourself peace-of-mind by scheduling a preventive maintenance inspection before the heating
and cooling season starts. Filters
Replace your heating and cooling air filters every month that they’re
in use. Operating your system with old, dirty filters costs you money and your system may even be damaged. While you’re
at it, check and clean the filters in your home’s air cleaners and humidifiers.
System Checks
If you have a forced
air heating system: - Check your furnace’s blower
compartment and blower coils
- Vacuum them if you see dirt
and dust there
- Check fan belt tension
- Lubricate fan and motor bearings
- If you have a steam system, check the shut-off valve for leaks
- Bleed hot water system radiators at least once a year
Don’t keep clutter near your furnace. It’s a fire hazard, and may keep your system from operating efficiently.
To make sure you’re getting the most out of your heating system, keep the heating registers and vents throughout
the house free of dust, dirt, and pet hair by vacuuming them at least once a year.
Listen for odd sounds when your
heating or cooling system kicks in. If you hear anything unusual, get in touch with your service professional so you can head
off problems before they become serious.
In winter months, set your ceiling fan at its slowest speed and reverse
it in order to gently push warm air down from the ceiling without generating a breeze.
Plumbing Tips
An ounce
of prevention will go a long way toward keeping your home’s plumbing in top working order – and you’ll avoid
costly repairs!
Faucets and Sinks - Even small drips can waste thousands of gallons of water, as much as 150
gallons a day! Be sure to check under sinks for moisture or small leaks. And always repair leaky faucets right away to avoid
paying for wasted water, and also to avoid water damage to your fixtures and pipes.
- Remove and clean your faucet aerators
annually to ensure an even flow of water.
- Make sure overflow holes on tubs and vanity are clear and open to prevent
water damage to floors and ceilings.
Water Heater - Before doing any maintenance on your water
heater yourself, be sure to shut off the power, and read your owner's manual.
- Once every three months, drain
water from the tank to prevent sediment builds upon bottom of the heater to improve efficiency
- Periodically
inspect your water heater burner. The flame under the heater should appear blue with yellow tips. If it’s mostly
yellow, or if it’s sooty under there, your flue may be clogged, which is a dangerous situation. Contact a professional
to check it out.
- Once every two years, have your water heater inspected by a qualified service technician.
Toilets
Toilet leaks can be wasteful and expensive. Once a year, check your toilet for leaks by adding a small amount of red food
coloring to the tank, and then check the toilet bowl later. If the toilet bowl water is colored red, water is seeping through
from the tank. If it is leaking, you need to replace the Flush valve assembly. Clogs - To help
prevent clogs, fit all your tubs and shower drains with a strainer that catches hair and soap chips, and clean the strainer
regularly.
- Do not rinse fats or cooking oils down the kitchen sink. Liquid fats solidify in the cold pipes and
create clogs.
- Avoid using caustic liquid drain openers (like Drano or Liquid Plumber) on a drain that is completely
clogged. The caustic ingredients are trapped in your pipes, and it can severely damage them.
Garbage
Disposal - Extend the life of your garbage disposal by:
- Using plenty of cold water when running it
- Making
sure you avoid overloading it
- Never disposing of things like bones or corn husks
- Never using a caustic drain
opener.
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