Regular Maintenance Is The Key
Here are 25 reminders & tips to get your home ready for Fall & Winter.
1) Have furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified
service company every two years for a gas furnace, and every year for an oil
furnace, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
2) If you have central air conditioning, make sure the drain pan under
the cooling coil mounted in the furnace plenum is draining properly and is
clean.
3) Lubricate circulating pump on hot water heating system.
4) Disconnect the power to the furnace and examine the forced-air furnace
fan belt, if installed, for wear, looseness or noise; clean fan blades of any
dirt buildup.
5) Check chimneys for obstructions such as nests.
6) Vacuum electric baseboard heaters to remove dust.
7)
Remove the grilles on forced-air systems and vacuum inside the ducts.
8)
Turn ON gas furnace pilot light (if your furnace has one), set the
thermostat to “heat” and test the furnace for proper operation by raising the
thermostat setting until the furnace starts to operate. Once you have confirmed
proper operation, return the thermostat to the desired setting.
9)
Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating
season. Ventilation system, such as heat recovery ventilator, filters should be
checked every two months.
10) Check to see that the ductwork leading
to and from the heat recovery ventilator is in good shape, the joints are
tightly sealed (aluminum tape or mastic) and any duct insulation and plastic
duct wrap is free of tears and holes.
11) If the heat recovery
ventilator has been shut off for the summer, clean the filters and the core, and
pour water down the condensate drain to test it.
12) Check to see that
bathroom exhaust fans and range hoods are operating properly. If possible,
confirm that you are getting good airflow by observing the outside vent hood
(the exterior damper should be held open by the airflow).
13) Check
smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace batteries.
14) Check sump pump and line to ensure proper operation, and to
ascertain that there are no line obstructions or visible leaks.
15)
Remove interior insect screens from windows to allow air from the heating system
to keep condensation off window glass and to allow more free solar energy into
your home.
16) Ensure windows and skylights close tightly; repair or
replace weatherstripping, as needed.
17) Ensure all doors to the
outside shut tightly, and check other doors for ease of use. Replace door
weatherstripping if required.
18) If there is a door between your
house and the garage, check the adjustment of the self-closing device to ensure
it closes the door completely.
19) Cover outside of air-conditioning
units and shut off power.
20) Ensure that the ground around your home
slopes away from the foundation wall, so that water does not drain into your
basement.
21) Clean leaves from eavestroughs and roof, and test
downspouts to ensure proper drainage from the roof.
22) Drain and
store outdoor hoses. Close interior valve to outdoor hose connection and drain
the hose bib (exterior faucet), unless your house has frost-proof hose bibs.
23) Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you
test for bacteria every six months.
24) If you have a septic tank,
measure the sludge and scum to determine if the tank needs to be emptied before
the spring. Tanks should be pumped out at least once every three years.
25) Winterize landscaping, for example, store outdoor furniture,
prepare gardens and, if necessary, protect young trees or bushes for winter.