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 With the proper maintenance and care, your Heating and Cooling equipment will operate dependably for many years. There are a few maintenance operations you can do yourself to help insure the best performance. Please be aware of all manufacturers instructions regardng maintenance. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in fire or combustion that can cause property damage, serious injury or death. Before you perform any type of maintenance, disconnect all electrical power to the unit before removing access panels; and be alert for sharp edges when handling parts or reaching into units. If performing maintenance not included in the list below, check with Fox Heating and Air to determine if the service will void manufacturer's warranties and guarantees. It's better to be safe than sorry.
Check filter
Check the air filter in the furnace or fan coil each month. A dirty filter will cause excess wear and tear on your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump. Change your filter when necessary, or clean it if you have the reusable type. (If you have a reusable type, make sure it's dry before reinstalling.
Remove debris
Keep your outdoor condensing unit free from debrit. If you keep grass clippings, shrubbery, and debris from your outdoor unit, it should only require minimum care. Check the base pan (under the unit) occasionally and remove debris to help the unit drain properly.
Brush exterior
if the exterior of your outdoor coil becomes dirty, use a brush or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean the surface. To clean dirt that is deep in the coil, contact a Fox Heating and Air representative to schedule maintenance.
Check level
Make sure your outdoor coil stays in a level position. If the support for your outdoor coil shifts or settles, re-level it to make sure the water drains properly from inside the unit.
Inspect ventilation
Inspect your furnace's combustion area and vent system before each heating season. If you find dirt, soot or rust, your system may not operate properly or at its peak efficiency. Call Fox Heating and Air if this happens and do not operate the furnace until it is professionally inspected and or repaired.
Clean humidifier
Clean your humidifier at the beginning of each heating season. Review your owners manuel for the proper procedure to clean the evaporator pad and external components.
Clean air cleaner
The pre-filter and collection cells of an electronic air cleaner should be cleaned two to three time per year.
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Insulation
Be sure your home is adequetely insulated. Adding insulation to attis areas is usually very easy. Other areas, such as walls, provide a more challenging project if extra insulation is needed.
Seals
Check the seals around doors, windows, electrical outlets or any other potential sources for potential escaping air. Seal these areas using a good quality caulk, and be sure to examine your work every few weeks.
Weather stripping
Inside your home, weather stripping around moving parts of windows and doors can help seal off potential areas of leakage or drafts. Insulated windows and doors also save on electricity and gas.
Programmable thermostat
These units save energy by offering 4 convenient, preprogrammed temperature settings. These settings try to anticipate when it will be convenient to scale back on your heating and cooling. This simple program can save energy and money on utility bills. When used properly, savings average around 150$ annualy.
Showerheads
New showerheads use a maximum of 2.5 galloons per minute, which saves you water and energy. By replacing your older showerhead, an average family of four can save from 60$(gas) to 150$ electric.
Toilet leaks
You should occasionally check your toilets for leaks. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank (not the bowl). You can also use instant coffee or koolaid. In 30 minutes, if the water in the bowl is colored, you have a leak, and the stopper and the valve seal may need to be replaced.
Insulating ductwork and pipes
insulating ductwork and pipes that run through unheated space will result in significant savings in your energy bill. Heat escapes from bare water pipes causing the water sitting in those pipes to cool down between uses. This results in running extra water to get the hot water to the faucet. Wrapping cold water lines won't save you any money, but will eliminate dripping and sweatingfrom condensation.
Water savings
Fix those dripping faucets. Turn the faucet off when you are not using the water. Showers use less water than baths.
Dishwashers and washing machine
Always run your dishwasher full. You may live in an area where it costs less to run it during non peak hours or in the evening. Ditto for the washing machine. Always run it full. The biggest laundry expense is heating the water.
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