Help your Heater run Efficiently this Season: Fall Heating Maintenance Checklist

Tired of over-the-top winter fuel bills? Putting a little effort into fall hvac maintenance could help you reap big rewards – and prevent the need for unexpected repair calls after winter weather sets in.

Never neglect annual pre-season furnace maintenance
Annual service is inexpensive – and always cheaper than waiting until your system breaks down to call for repair. You can attempt to do it yourself, but the difficulty level is high, and for those unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the territory, calling in a professional hvac expert is highly recommended.

What’s involved with annual fall furnace maintenance?
Basic fall furnace maintenance involves:

1. Cutting the power supply.
   Turning off power to the system, including electrical and fuel supply, is essential to furnace maintenance safety. The power switch is usually identifiable by a bright red switch plate near your heating unit, the fuel shutoff valve located near the oil tank or incoming gas pipe.
2. Cleaning the combustion chamber.
   The place where fuel and air mix and are ignited, buildup in the combustion chamber can cause your furnace walls to corrode. Loose buildup must be scraped out with a small wire brush, small bits with a shop vacuum, and chamber holes inspected for corrosion before replacing the cover.
3. Flue pipe inspection.
   Holes in the exhaust flue could result in carbon monoxide leaks, and damper adjustments effect efficiency. Patch small holes with foil tape – but if your pipe is corroded, it must be replaced for the safety of your family. Barometric damper adjustments are where a pro’s tools come in handy, as measurements can be taken and adjustments made to those dampers compromising efficiency due to excess draw.
4. Changing the air filter.
   The air your family breathes in the winter comes through your furnace filter. It is easily changed and should be – often.
5. Oil filter replacement.
   Oil filters remove small impurities that could result in misfires and system shut downs. Always remember to close the oil valve before removing and replacing the old filter, disposing of it according to local hazardous waste regulations.
6. Component inspection and adjustments.
   Belt wear and tension can affect the blower – and efficiency. Belts deflating more than 3/4inch when pressed firmly should be adjusted by sliding the blower motor slightly backward.
7. Burner adjustment.
   Burner tubes (in gas systems) must be vacuumed cleaned and air gates adjusted for the proper air to fuel ratio. A combustion analyzer, used by professional technicians, can measure this. Also, to properly burn fuel before it goes up the chimney, the oil nozzle, which atomizes fuel, should be checked and replaced if necessary. Flame color and shape at the igniter is a key indicator of proper combustion.
8. Vent cleaning.
   Pet hair, small toys, dirt and debris in floor vents ruin air quality and efficiency.

Feeling overwhelmed?
A clean, well-maintained heating system can save you money on fuel – and prolong furnace life. If you’re in over your head when it comes to meeting these fall furnace maintenance tasks, contact the furnace contractors at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning today.

Allergy season is here again: How to Allergy Proof your Home

Cool, crisp fall breezes have many Americans opening up their doors and windows after a stifling summer. Though the temperature may feel great on the skin, however, all that cool, dry air makes for an convenient transportation mechanism for airborne allergens that can wreak havoc on your sinuses. Is there any way to enjoy the best of both worlds?

Reduce the effects of allergens in your home with these effective air quality solutions:

• Time it.
  Opening up windows to boost air quality, especially in today’s tight homes, is a great idea. However if you or a family member is an allergy sufferer, do it by the clock – and by the weather. Check your local pollen and mold forecast, keeping windows closed when counts are high, especially between 10am and 3pm, and on dry, windy days.

• Leave it at the door.
  When you come in from enjoying a little time outdoors, ditch outer garments on the porch or in your laundry/mudroom – then take a shower. This keeps mold and pollen that have settled on clothing out of your home.

• Be average.
  Average humidity levels – around 50% - are optimal inside your home to keep mold (which likes moisture) and dust (which likes dryness) at bay.

• Keep it contained.
  An essential line of defense against bringing allergens into your living space is tightly sealed ductwork. When was the last time you inspected yours?

• Use your filter.
  Installing compatible HEPA filters on your existing HVAC system with the help of a hvac repair technician can help remove millions of particulates like mold spores, dust mites, pollen, and other harmful airborne contaminants. Just remember to clean them regularly, as dirty filters can do more harm than good – to sinuses as well as your HVAC system.

• Light it up.
  Used in conjunction with your heating and cooling system, an ultra-violet air purification system can further help eliminate mold, as well as harmful viruses and bacteria that can make you and your family sick throughout the cooler weather season.

• Focus your cleaning efforts.
  Though keeping your entire home as clean as possible is recommended, today’s busy lives may make finding time tough. If this is the case, concentrate efforts on bedrooms (dust mite heaven) and bathrooms (mold Xanadu). Proper moisture levels (ventilation fans, de/humidifiers) and careful cleaning are key. Consider upgrading to a vacuum with a HEPA filter, and don’t forget to damp mop shelving and floors regularly.

• Cut the clutter.
  The less stuff clogging up surfaces in your home, the fewer places for allergens to hide – and the easier it is to clean. This includes nick knacks on shelves as well as curtains, and high-pile wall-to-wall carpeting.

• Love Fido in the living room.
  Reduce bedroom dust mites and dander allergens by making your bedroom a no-fly zone for pets, washing bedding regularly to cut down on the buildup of substances you inadvertently track into your room.

Burnt out on sneezing your way through the season? Take a load off your sinuses (and loads of tissues off your tables) with the help of indoor air quality services from H & H. Contact us today.