Clean & Checks – Heating Season

Although heating and cooling equipment built in the last 10 years has become more reliable, it is still a good idea to have a furnace and heating system check and maintenance on an annual basis. Here’s why:

Reliability – Much like your automobile, regular maintenance is a must, having a qualified technician check your system and verifying everything is operating within specs. will help in catching a small problem before it becomes a “No heat” situation.
Peace Of Mind – One of the major steps of our preseason inspection, is verifying the equipment is operating safely and that all safety controls are functional. We perform a digital analysis of every gas or oil furnace to verify it is operating safely and efficiently.

Energy Efficiency – A preseason inspection allows us to verify gas pressure, combustion efficiency, refrigerant pressures, amp draws and voltages to ensure the equipment is operating at peak efficiency. A heat pump with low refrigerant or a gas furnace with low gas pressure can easily add hours and hours of unnecessary run time and excessive utility costs.

Comfort – A properly operating heating and cooling (HVAC) system will maintain the home at the optimum comfort levels. Proper airflow, temperatures and humidity levels have a huge impact on how comfortable your home “feels”. Your HVAC system can keep the temperature exactly at the thermostat setting, but excessive airflows and/or low humidity levels will still make your home feel uncomfortable.

Longevity – Routine maintenance and proper equipment operation, has been proven again and again, to lengthen the life of the heating and cooling equipment. Proper refrigerant levels, gas pressures, etc. allow a unit to operate at peak efficiency which will allow the equipment to last much longer.

Carbon Monoxide – Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that can be produced by an improperly operating gas or oil furnace. We perform a combustion analysis on every gas or oil furnace that we inspect to ensure the furnace is operating efficiently and not producing carbon monoxide. We also print out a report listing each unit’s operating efficiency and combustion results and provide them to our customer.

Indoor Air Quality – Dirty filters increase energy usage and result in more “no heat” issues than any other single contributor. A clean filter or properly operating air cleaner will ensure proper airflow through the equipment and throughout the home, resulting in a more evenly heated home. Proper humidity levels in the home have a dramatic impact on how comfortable the home “feels” even when the thermostat is at the desired set temperature. We check each system’s filter or air cleaner and humidifier, if applicable, to ensure your indoor air quality and comfort levels.

Fire Hazards – An improperly operating furnace with incorrect gas pressure, dirty burners or defective safety controls can result in flame roll out or excessive temperatures that can damage the equipment or worse yet, the possibility of a house fire, if left unchecked.

Availability – A preseason check out of your heating system will greatly reduce the chances that you will experience a “no heat” situation. However, in the event the heating system would stop working, our Preventative Maintenance Customers (Custom Comfort Club) get priority scheduling as well as discounted rates for parts and labor. The end result is getting your heating system operational as quickly as possible, at a much lower cost.
Energy Conservation – An improperly operating heating and cooling system will consume much more energy and will result in excessive utility costs to the homeowner. Maintaining your heating system will reduce your carbon footprint, and at the same time, keep more money in your wallet.

Helpful Money Saving HVAC Tips

Here are some tips and suggestions you can use to save money on your utility bills, heating and air conditioning equipment, and service.

Set the thermostat

The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat at the highest summer setting or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings are 78 degrees for summer cooling and 70 degrees for winter heating. When cooling, your operating costs increase from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is lowered. When heating, your operating costs increase for each degree your thermostat is raised.

Keep the air filter clean

The easiest way to ensure your system operates efficiently and economically is by keeping the air filter clean. There are several types of air filters and several possible locations for the air filter. Ask your Rheem Team dealer where your air filter is located and which type of filter to use.

Keep doors and windows closed

Close all doors and windows to the outside. This will reduce the heating load in winter and the cooling load in summer. Your system will operate more economically as a result.

Keep vents and grilles unobstructed

Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grilles are free from obstruction. This will reduce the cooling and heating load on your system, providing more economical operation.

Avoid excessive use of exhaust fans

Excessive use of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your system work harder. This will increase energy consumption and costs. Keep costs in check by making wise use of exhaust fans.

Use the AUTO setting

Generally, it is best to set your indoor fan to AUTO position. This costs less and provides better humidity control in the summer. However, if you desire to operate your system with constant air circulation, ask for advice from your certified contractor.

Control direct sunlight

Let the sun in during winter. Keep the sun out during summer. In summer, direct sunlight increases the load on your cooling system. Use of window shades and awnings will reduce the amount of direct sunlight and lower the cooling load. In winter, direct sunlight reduces the load on your heating system. Open window shades and awnings to increase direct sunlight and lower the heating load.

Keep the condenser coil clean

The condenser coil (the unit outside your house) should be kept clean to ensure efficient operation. If the condenser coil becomes restricted by dirt, lint, paper, grass clippings, leaves, or other debris, system efficiency will deteriorate. Use a garden hose to keep the condenser coil clean.

Insulate air ducts

Be sure all air ducts are well-insulated. Ducts should also be sealed with a vapor barrier.

Keep an air tight house

Ensure maximum retention of heated or cooled air by adding insulation to outside walls and to the attic. Seal cracks and use storm doors and/or insulated doors to prevent air leaks.

Properly vent clothes dryers

Be sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside. Also ensure that it is vented away from your outdoor unit.

Keep heat away from the thermostat

Make sure no heat-generating appliances are near your thermostat. These include lamps, TVs, stereo and computer equipment.

Maintenance 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
Schedule a maintenance service call before the heating season starts. If there are any problems with your system, it’s better to find out before it’s freezing outside! Do the same for your cooling system before the sweltering season begins.

Filters
Replace your heating and cooling air filters every month that they’re in use. Operating your system with old, dirty filters means energy is wasted 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 steam system, check the shut-off valve for leaks. also flush and test the low water cuttoff once every week.

Bleed hot water system radiators to remove air at least once a year.

Don’t keep clutter near your furnace, boiler, space heater or water heater it’s a fire hazard.

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.