Gas Furnace Maintenance

Posted by JD Swallow in Maintenance Tips on September 29th, 2011 .
Now’s a good time to get your furnace ready for winter using the following tips:
  • Confirm that the furnace runs completely through a normal cycle from start-up to shut-down. Look at the thermostat reading to confirm that the system shuts off when reaching the high temperature setpoint. (If otherwise, you have a short cycling problem requiring a service call.)
  • Clean dust or move objects away from the grates that supply air into each room and the large return grate, usually in a hallway, to ensure proper air flow.
  • Make sure obstacles are cleared away from the furnace and the safety switch on the furnace door.
  • Check the vent connections for the exhaust pipe and chimney for rust or gaps.
  • Make sure your CO2 monitor is operating properly and that it has fresh batteries.
  • Replace furnace filters annually.

Maintenance Tips

Posted by JD Swallow in Maintenance Tips on August 6th, 2011 .

Duct Cleaning

A maze of heating and air conditioning ducts runs inside the walls and floors of 80 percent of Canadian homes. As the supply ducts blow air into the rooms, return ducts inhale airborne dust and suck it back into the blower. Add moisture to this mixture and you’ve got a breeding ground for allergy-inducing molds, mites and bacteria. Many filters commonly used today can’t keep dust and  debris from streaming into the air and over time sizable accumulations can form — think dust bunnies, but bigger.

To find out if your ducts need cleaning, pull off some supply and return registers and take a look. If a new furnace is being installed, you should probably invest in a duct cleaning at the same time, because chances are the new blower will be more powerful than the old one and will stir up a lot of dust.

Professional  duct cleaners tout such benefits as cleaner indoor air, longer equipment life and lower energy costs. Clean HVAC systems can also perform more efficiently, which may decrease energy costs, and last longer, reducing the need for costly replacement or repairs. Cleaning has little effect on air quality, primarily because most indoor dust drifts in from the outdoors. But it does get rid of the stuff that mold and bacteria grow on, and that means less of it gets airborne, a boon to  allergy sufferers.

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FAQs

Posted by JD Swallow in FAQs on August 6th, 2011 .

Q: How do I select the right heating/cooling system?
A: First, make sure the unit is properly sized. JD Swallow will provide a load calculation for your home. Also ask us to provide an energy analysis to determine operating cost. Next, consider any comfort issues in the home. Some products can reduce air stratification and uneven temperatures from room to room. If you have allergies, an indoor unit with an ECM motor will allow you to circulate the air in your home continuously while filtering the air for about the same cost as operating a standard light bulb. Finally, know your budget parameters and the efficiency of the system being proposed. Does the system offer a payback? In other words, will the monthly savings over time offset the cost of the new unit or efficiency option being considered?

To learn more about home comfort, see more FAQs or Glossary