|
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Problems with heating and cooling systems can range anywhere from elevated operating costs due to an older, inefficient system to hazardous malfunctions. You should be familiar with your heating and cooling systems and to maintain them properly to avoid any dangerous conditions or costly repairs.
One of the most important things you can do to maintain the efficiency of your heating and cooling system is to make sure that your filters are cleaned or replaced regularly.
Gas Furnaces
Gas furnaces are generally trouble-free. So much so, that after they are installed, people often just forget about them until they break and the house gets cold. Nonetheless, it is important to have them serviced regualrly (annually, if possible) for maximum safety and efficiency.
The gas is burned in a chamber called a heat exchanger. The air from the house is heated by blowing it over the the outside of the heat exchanger. The burned gas is vented to the outside. Eventually, the heat exchanger will rust out or crack. This usually takes 20 years or so, but can happen sooner under adverse conditions. When the hear exchanger (or the vent system) fails, it is kind of like having a leaky exhaust pipe or muffler on your car in that the products of combustion, possibly including carbon monoxide, can get into the living space. So, you need to have someone service the furnace occasionally to check the condition of the heat exchanger.
There are several easy and inexpensive things you can do yourself to maintain the efficiency of your heating system. If your heating system is a forced air furnace, you should clean or change the filter frequently (every month during the cold months). If you have radiators, you will need to “bleed” them of trapped air that would prevent the water from running through the system efficiently. You can do this by opening the bleeding valve until water comes out and then closing it – be careful as the steam and water is very hot. Be sure to have something handy to catch the water. If you have a hot water heating system, you’ll need to clean the boiler by opening the drain valve until the water runs clear. This should be done approximately once a month.
.
You should also do some regular maintenance on your cooling system. For central air conditioners, it’s a good idea to hire a professional service to give your system a check-up before the hot months begin. This usually involves a thorough cleaning of the air conditioning unit and a refill of the coolant if needed. Monthly, you should also check the outdoor unit for blockages and remove any vegetation growing around it that could interfere with its proper functioning. You should also clean or change the filter and check the condensate drain at least monthly.
If your HVAC systems run on natural gas, make sure you know where your gas shut off valve is in case you need to close it. You should also make sure to keep an adjustable wrench handy for this purpose. If you ever smell gas, follow the below steps:
- Evacuate your home.
- Once everyone is safely out of the home, shut off the gas supply from the external shut off valve (this will be located near your gas meter).
- Call the utility company or emergency service to report the leak.
|
