Tag: don't

Person's hands inspecting a clean air filter and housing for HVAC maintenance by Air Works Heating & Air.

Don’t Forget to Maintain the Heater

It’s Still Not Too Late for Heater Maintenance 

Heaters work hard year after year to keep the home warm. Like any other equipment, they must be maintained properly to keep them operating reliably and efficiently. Most often, professionals recommend heater maintenance in the fall before the heater sees heavy use. It allows for easier scheduling and repairs without interrupting service. However, even if heater maintenance was neglected in the fall, it is not too late to schedule maintenance and benefit from it. This post will discuss heating maintenance and its advantages. 

Benefits of Maintaining the Heater

Mother and daughter smiling while depositing coins into a pink piggy bank, illustrating the importance of saving for home maintenance and efficiency costs.Spending a little money on the heater every year in the form of heater maintenance can reduce the cost of operating the heater during the winter. To start, a well-maintained heater is less likely to suffer from catastrophic problems that require high heater repair bills. Since experts have a chance to address small, potential problems every year, repair bills stay lower. Additionally, a well-maintained heater will use less gas and power to keep a home warm. A heater with routine maintenance performed yearly will have better efficiency and performance. When heating the home makes up a large portion of monthly utility bills, better efficiency becomes a huge tool for cost reduction. 

A system that receives routine attention will last longer and perform more safely. When heater maintenance is done, the system’s total amount of wear and tear is lower because parts stay lubricated and clean. Since fewer parts fail, the total damage is lower over the heater’s lifespan, allowing it to last much longer. In addition to lasting longer, the furnace will stay safer because of routine inspections and maintenance. 

What Does Heater Maintenance Entail?

Interior view of a gas heater showing wires, gas valves, and components, illustrating the importance of heater maintenance for efficiency and safety.Professional heater maintenance is a service that most heating contractors offer. Many will offer it as part of a membership or service agreement, while others call the service a heater tune-up, giving the owner the flexibility to schedule it when needed. Either way, the services are very similar. They will entail steps like: 

  • Cleaning the inside and outside of the machine
  • Burner cleaning and inspection
  • Testing of all safety mechanisms
  • Verification of delivery temperatures
  • Testing the thermostat
  • Cycling the heater and looking for potential problems 

How Often to Plan for Heating Maintenance 

Heater maintenance can be broken down into two parts. The first part is up to the homeowner. Furnace filters aren’t just to clean up the air in the home. Replacing them periodically is intended to keep contaminants in the air from getting inside the heater and causing issues and to avoid airflow problems that can cause inefficiency and higher heating costs. Homeowners should perform air filter replacement every three months for maximum protection. Changing them on the first day of each season is a good way to remember. 

Homeowners should also remember to schedule heater maintenance annually. So, twice per year, maintenance is recommended. Once for their air conditioner with AC maintenance and once for the heating system with heater maintenance performed by professionals. Remembering these valuable tasks can help homeowners enjoy reliable, comfortable heat with lower operating costs.  

About Air Works Heating & Air

Air Works Heating & Air offers heating maintenance as part of a membership. Memberships make scheduling easy and ensure timely service every year. Call today for heater repair or maintenance services in Franklinton, NC. 

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Two-story yellow house with a porch and green lawn, surrounded by autumn foliage, representing Air Works Heating & Air.

Don’t Get Stuck With Frozen Pipes This Winter!

Prevent Freezing Pipes With a Few Simple Steps

While frozen pipes can be a major inconvenience, burst pipes are the real problem. Water is one of the few things that expands when it goes from liquid to solid form, putting strain on the enclosed area of a home’s plumbing. 

When pipes burst, this causes many other problems, including water damage, high water bills, and a need for serious plumbing repair. In the following paragraphs, discover steps to protect a home’s plumbing system against freezing and bursting.

Step #1: Insulate Pipes

Insulating pipes is as important as insulating the home. Not every pipe needs to be insulated because walls do some insulating themselves. The key is insulating exposed pipes that are most likely to freeze. Places such as unfinished basements, crawl spaces, and under sinks are prime areas for pipe insulation. It is a simple DIY that’s fast and easy to perform. Pipe insulation looks like pool noodles split like a hot dog bun. Below are some steps to follow should homeowners opt to DIY:

  • Measure: Measure the circumference and length of the pipes to purchase the right amount.
  • Purchase: Go to the hardware store and buy the insulation.
  • Cut: Cut the pipe insulation to the correct length.
  • Place: Wrap the pipes with the insulation.
  • Secure: Fasten the insulation around the pipes with duct tape or something similar.

Step #2: Keep the Temperature Consistent in the House and Open Cabinet Doors

Open kitchen cabinet with organized storage, showcasing cleaning supplies and dishware, emphasizing the importance of allowing heat circulation to prevent pipe freezing in the context of HVAC maintenance.Even if a household is away from the home, the pipes can still freeze. That is why it is important to keep the heat going even when no one is home. If the weather is particularly cold, opening cabinet doors to allow the heat to circulate will help prevent pipe freezing. Reasons to do all this include:

  • Expanding and contracting with the heat and cold can weaken the pipe’s integrity, especially a metal one.
  • Both sewer and supply pipes can freeze, so both should be insulated, and the cabinets surrounding them should be left open. 
  • Pipes can break under the foundation or the ground, but consistent temperatures help spread heat and reduce the chance of this happening. 

Step #3: Cover Hose Bibs After Disconnecting the Hose

Hand disconnecting a hose from an outdoor faucet, highlighting the importance of preparing hose bibs to prevent pipe freezing during cold weather.If one place is a chink in the armor of pipe insulating, it is outdoor faucets. The hose bib is often the location where pipe freezing begins. Disconnecting the hose and using a hose bib cover can prevent many problems. 

This simple preparation can save a household from nasty emergency plumbing problems. A cover can be purchased at a local hardware store. It will cost only a few dollars and could save a homeowner a hefty sum if it prevents freezing and burst pipes.

About Airworks Heating & Air

Airworks Heating & Air serves the Raleigh, NC, area with 100% satisfaction guaranteed. With every appointment, their expert staff offers personalized service and honest advice, never starting work without providing a detailed estimate. Call today to enjoy top-rated plumbing services in Raleigh, NC!

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