HVAC Issues
(Heating,
Ventilation, Air Conditioning)
Problems
with heating and cooling systems
can
range anywhere from elevated operating costs due to an older,
inefficient system to hazardous malfunctions. It is important to 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 systems as well as the air quality in your
home is to make sure that your ducts and filters are cleaned or
replaced regularly. Duct cleaning takes the expertise of a
professional.
It’s a good idea to also clean your registers and vents
regularly
between your duct cleaning service’s visits. This
can be
done easily by cleaning and removing the registers and then vacuuming
out the ducts as far as your vacuum hose can reach.
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 4-6 weeks). If you have a
radiator, you
will need to “bleed” it 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 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. For window units, you
should clean or replace the filter at least monthly, bi-weekly during
the hottest months. You should also check the condensate
drain to
make sure that all moisture is draining properly.
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:
-
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.
I adhere
to the NACHI Standards of Practice
and the NACHI Code of Ethics.
NACHI Standards of Practice
NACHI Code of Ethics
Proudly
Serving the Following Counties:
Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Gem, Payette,
Valley, Washington and Malheur
Oxbow Home Inspections • PO Box 2144 Eagle, ID 83616• 208.573.5300
Troy Farmer: Owner/Inspector • E-Mail: info@troyfarmer.com
© 2007- 2010 Oxbow Home
Inspections and Radon Testing, LLC
