Showing posts with label check-up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label check-up. Show all posts
Monday, November 8, 2010
Keeping a Close Eye on Your Home Heating
Be Heat Vigilant and Observant This Fall and Winter!We tend to take our hot water and home heating for granted, but when something goes wrong with our home heating systems, we can easily go into panic mode. The professionals need to be contacted in some cases, but for a lot of smaller matters it’s possible with a few basic tools and some elementary knowledge of how the system works to fix the problem ourselves and save time as well as money. Here are the some of the things you need to be aware of and be prepared for before and during heating season.
The main components of any home heating system are the heat source, the system for distributing the heat and finally the thermostat which controls the temperature. A breakdown of any of these three will seriously interfere with your comfort and convenience.
A simple loss of power may be the cause of a failure in the furnace or boiler which supplies the heat in the first place. The fuel needed by the unit for it to work may not be reaching it. Even if it is reaching it, ignition may be the problem in the case of gas or oil. Or everything may be fine with the heat source but the heat itself is not reaching its destination, which would point to a problem either with the blower that gets the heat from the source or else the distribution system that carries it around the house. A fault in the thermostat will cause the unit not to switch itself off and on as it should in the heating cycle to control the level of heat in the house. So isolating the problem is the first step to solving it.
First off, check the power source for any blown fuses, and then try resetting the furnace or boiler using the reset button near the motor. The thermostat may not be set to the proper adjustment, so try raising or lowering it to see whether the unit will then activate. Check whether the pilot light is lit and that the gas supply is on, or in the case of oil that there is an adequate supply of it.
With gas heating systems you need to be especially careful, as the air quality is a major factor when these are replaced or undergo maintenance. By-products from the combustion process can damage your health, and ensuring that the chimney is unblocked and that there is proper ventilation for the gas heating system can help ensure no leakage of these harmful products into the home environment.
Keep an eye on the vent connection pipe and the condition of your chimney, as there is inevitable deterioration as time passes and repairs can be costly. In the case of the boiler or furnace, check the control settings for their provision of optimal temperature and water levels, and check for any cracks in the combustion chamber. Clean the blower and remove any debris such as soot that may have accumulated.
Just making a few regular checks to your boiler or furnace, and the distribution system of vents or pipes, will help maintain their condition and ensure a longer effective life.
Related Heating Information from Horizon Services...
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Heating and Cooling System Health Check
A Little Preventive Medicine for Your Heating and Air Conditioning System Can Go a Long Way!As summer is coming to an end and winter's cold weather is just around the corner, you'll definitely want to make sure your home’s heating system is functioning properly for the winter ahead...and that your air conditioner has successfully survived the long, hot summer without any damage or problems. The following checklist can help you decide if you need to make some improvements, replace equipment, or consult a professional about more extensive repairs.
If your heater, heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with an Energy Star rated system. When installed by an expert, these units will improve your home’s energy efficiency and can help you save up to 20% on your utility bills.
If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, you may want to research Energy Star certified units. These newer systems are almost 15% more energy efficient than older furnaces, while an Energy Star boiler is about 5% more efficient than an older model.
If you’ve noticed a dramatic increase in the number of times you have to call in a professional to repair your heating and cooling system, or your utility bills keep rising no matter what you try to do to save energy, your current system is not working as efficiently as it should and it may be time to replace your unit.
If you notice that certain rooms in your house are always too hot or too cold, your heating or cooling system may be malfunctioning or your ductwork or insulation could need some attention.
If you spend the better part of the day away from home and you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you could be wasting energy—and money. An Energy Star certified programmable thermostat lets you control the temperature of your home when you’re not there, saving energy and money.
If you notice condensation on windows and sills or the humidity in your home is never quite right, your system could need work and an overhaul. Leaky ducts can also make your home too humid in summer and overly dry in winter.
If you find it nearly impossible to keep up with the dust inside your home, it could mean that your ductwork is leaking. Improperly sealed ducts pull air and dust particles from attics, basements and crawl spaces, circulating them throughout your home.
If your heating or cooling system makes a lot of noise, your ducts could be too small or one of the key components of your system could be malfunctioning.
Use the Home Energy Yardstick found on the EPA's Energy Star website to determine your home’s energy health. To complete the survey, you’ll need to gather your utility bills from the last 12 months or request a 12-month summary of charges from your energy provider, information about your home’s energy sources—natural gas, oil, electricity, propane, kerosene—and the total square footage of your home. Simply enter this information in the right places and let the yardstick calculate your home’s energy efficiency rating. If you score lower than five, your home is using more energy than average and you are likely paying more than you have to on your utility bills.
Finally, it's always a great idea to give your heating and air conditioning system a tune-up and cleaning before the start of the summer or winter season. A tune-up will make sure that your heater or air conditioner starts the season in optimal working condition and will operate at peak energy-efficiency. It will also extend the life of your heating and air conditioning system and is your best assurance that your heater or air conditioner won't break down at an inopportune time -- like right in the middle of a heatwave or cold snap!
Related Heating & Air Conditioning Information from Horizon Services...
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