Your heating equipment should be routinely checked by a qualified professional on an annual basis.
There are also key routine maintenance checks you should perform on your heating equipment. (Note: Turn off power to the unit before inspection or maintenance.)
Maintain records to keep track of maintenance checks and requirements.
Change the filter as required, once every other month or more frequently, depending on the variables in your home.
Look for water leaks or changes in the system.
Check the drain lines to make sure they are clear and draining properly.
Listen to the furnace operate and follow up on any unfamiliar sounds.
Check flue pipes and vents for rust, water leaks and loose connections.
Switch high/low returns at the start and end of the heating season.
Contact a qualified service technician if you don’t feel comfortable performing these tasks on your own.
Each year there are about 21,800 residential fires associated with space heaters. Demonstrate care when using space heaters this winter. (Source: www.cpsc.gov)
Combustion appliances or mechanical systems, including fireplaces, gas stoves and gas heating systems, produce by-products that need to be removed using a system of vents or flues known as an exhaust system.
To function properly, exhaust systems must be free of holes, cracks or rust.
Exhaust systems should be installed so combustion products are carried out of the house before cooling and condensation occurs.
High air pressure outside the house, low air pressure inside the house or improper appliance operation can sometimes impact the effectiveness of vent systems.
An NPI professional will evaluate the condition of the heating system, the location of master switches, functionality, the type of energy source used and the method of conducting heat throughout the home or business.
When inspecting a home here in Rochester NY I discovered a problem with the homeowners installation of a second floor laundry room which caused a major mold problem. Watch this video to see the problem that I observed.
