July 2005
Tune
Up Your Gas Appliances
Schedule
your annual check-up for your home's natural gas appliances this summer. Beat
the heating season rush and have your appliances ready to run efficiently
for winter.
A
licensed heating and air contractor knows how to do the job best. They're
qualified to deem your appliances' gas connections safe.
Keeping
your appliances working properly increases their performance and efficiency.
And the better the efficiency, the less natural gas the appliances use and
the more you can save on your gas bill. Annual inspections also increase the
lifespan of your gas appliances.
But
saving money isn't most important. Inspections ensure your gas connections
are secure from leaks, so you can rest assured that you and your family are
safe.
Call
your certified heating and air contractor today to schedule your gas appliance
check-up.
Each
gas appliance listed below should be inspected. Here are some suggestions
for pre-check-up and year-round maintenance:
Dryer
- Thoroughly
clean out lint screen after each use.
- Clean the
dust and dirt buildup around the dryer.
- Note for
technician: Inspect the vent for nesting rodents and lint. Also check
for proper venting to the outside.
Gas
Logs
- Clean the
glass and the air passageways.
- Keep the area
in front of the logs clear of objects that may be a fire hazard.
Fireplace
- Routinely
clean the glass, fans and air passageways.
- Note for
technician: Inspect the burner, venting, pilot light, thermostat and
operation of the blower.
Heating
System
- Change the
air filter. Depending on the type of air filter you use, it should be changed
or cleaned every one to two months.
- Note for
technician: Check the inside of the unit. Inspect the blower, blower
belt, heat exchanger and flue system.
Space
Heaters
- Check for
proper functioning. The flame should be blue and should not have soot buildup.
The heater should not overheat or have a strong smell when in use.
- Note for
technician: Vacuum debris buildup around the burners.
Water
Heater
- Inspect the
insulation around the water heater. The insulation wrap should only be around
the sides of the water heater, not over the top. Before installing a wrap,
check with the manufacturer first to ensure insulation wraps are approved
for use.
- For better
efficiency, fix leaky pipes and faucets. You can also insulate hot water
pipes using pre-cut foam pipe insulation.
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