Just in case you have not yet read "Top 5 Ways to Maintain Your Heating and Cooling System", I am going to go over some safety precautions again.
Warning! Always disconnect the power before removing access panels.
There might be multiple power connections.
Be cautious when handling parts or reaching into units.
If you have any doubts about your abilities to perform any of these tasks, call a professional.
Now that we got that our of the way, here are 5 more ways to maintain your heating and cooling system.
1.
Make certain that your outdoor equipment is level.
If the footing for your split-system outdoor equipment has shifted or settled and the equipment is no longer level, re-level it immediately to make sure moisture drains properly.
If you see water or ice collecting beneath the unit, find a solution for it to be drained away from the equipment.
2.
Inspect your furnace, both in the combustion area and vent system, before the heating season begins.
Finding dirt, soot or rust, is an indication that your system may not operate properly or at its peak efficiency.
Call for service and do not operate your furnace until it is inspected and/or repaired by a professional technician.
3.
Call in a professional to inspect oil-fired boilers annually.
Each heating season a technician should replace your oil filter cartridge and conduct a thorough inspection of the unit's operation.
4.
At the beginning of every heating season, your humidifier should be cleaned.
Review your equipment's documentation for the proper procedure to clean the components of your unit, both internally and externally.
This is a good time to replace your evaporator pad as it should be replaced annually.
Depending on the water quality in your area you may need to clean your humidifier more frequently.
Hard water and water with a high mineral content can create scale and build up in your equipment which leads to a decrease in efficiency and an increase of problems if left unchecked.
5.
Your ventilator should have its core and air filters cleaned at least every three months.
This can easily be done by vacuuming the core of an energy recovery ventilator as long as it is free from moisture and the outdoor temperature is between 60 F (16 C) and 75 F (24 C).
Soak your heat recovery ventilator cores in a solution of warm water and mild soap for up to three hours and then rinse.
To wash your ventilator air filters vacuum off the heaviest accumulation of dust and then wash them in lukewarm water.
Wait until they are completely dry before you reinstall them.
Your heating and cooling equipment is a machine, with proper care an maintenance it will last longer and save you money an the long run.
And don't forget about the health benefits of properly maintaining your equipment, you and your family breathe the air that this system pushes into your home.
This is a continuation of our article "Top 5 Ways to Maintain Your Heating and Cooling System" which can be found at http://www.
portlandheatingrepair.
com/2010/11/top-5-ways-to-maintain-your-heating-and-cooling-system/.
Warning! Always disconnect the power before removing access panels.
There might be multiple power connections.
Be cautious when handling parts or reaching into units.
If you have any doubts about your abilities to perform any of these tasks, call a professional.
Now that we got that our of the way, here are 5 more ways to maintain your heating and cooling system.
1.
Make certain that your outdoor equipment is level.
If the footing for your split-system outdoor equipment has shifted or settled and the equipment is no longer level, re-level it immediately to make sure moisture drains properly.
If you see water or ice collecting beneath the unit, find a solution for it to be drained away from the equipment.
2.
Inspect your furnace, both in the combustion area and vent system, before the heating season begins.
Finding dirt, soot or rust, is an indication that your system may not operate properly or at its peak efficiency.
Call for service and do not operate your furnace until it is inspected and/or repaired by a professional technician.
3.
Call in a professional to inspect oil-fired boilers annually.
Each heating season a technician should replace your oil filter cartridge and conduct a thorough inspection of the unit's operation.
4.
At the beginning of every heating season, your humidifier should be cleaned.
Review your equipment's documentation for the proper procedure to clean the components of your unit, both internally and externally.
This is a good time to replace your evaporator pad as it should be replaced annually.
Depending on the water quality in your area you may need to clean your humidifier more frequently.
Hard water and water with a high mineral content can create scale and build up in your equipment which leads to a decrease in efficiency and an increase of problems if left unchecked.
5.
Your ventilator should have its core and air filters cleaned at least every three months.
This can easily be done by vacuuming the core of an energy recovery ventilator as long as it is free from moisture and the outdoor temperature is between 60 F (16 C) and 75 F (24 C).
Soak your heat recovery ventilator cores in a solution of warm water and mild soap for up to three hours and then rinse.
To wash your ventilator air filters vacuum off the heaviest accumulation of dust and then wash them in lukewarm water.
Wait until they are completely dry before you reinstall them.
Your heating and cooling equipment is a machine, with proper care an maintenance it will last longer and save you money an the long run.
And don't forget about the health benefits of properly maintaining your equipment, you and your family breathe the air that this system pushes into your home.
This is a continuation of our article "Top 5 Ways to Maintain Your Heating and Cooling System" which can be found at http://www.
portlandheatingrepair.
com/2010/11/top-5-ways-to-maintain-your-heating-and-cooling-system/.
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