Tips

We could all use some tips to help save us time and money. We hope what you find on the following pages helps you with your projects.

DIY 

We have put together a list of maintenance tips for all our "Do it Yourself" friends.   These are designed to help your systems run more smoothly.  Should you run into any issues, feel free to give us a call. 

Plumbing 

  1. Roots can be a big problem. They can grow into the joints of the pipes. A little "root-x" flushed down the toilet can reduce the growth of roots in your pipes.
  2. Thousands of people are scalded by tap water every year. The Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association recommends that the full-on hot water temperature at the faucet be set between 120° and 125° F.
  3. Use cold water when the garbage disposal is operating. You can clean your disposal by grinding ice cubes.
  4. Weak or changing water pressure usually points to a mineral buildup in the showerhead. Just fill a small, plastic bag half full with vinegar; rubber band the bag over your showerhead; and leave it in place for an hour or two. Then, remove the bag; and polish the head with a cloth. Your showerhead will look and function like new!

Cooling & Heating 

  1. Air Conditioner - Keep your outdoor condensing unit free of debris. If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and debris away from your outdoor unit, it should run more efficiently and have a longer life.

Air Quality

  1. You can help to avoid mildew problems with these preventative actions. Ventilate basements or run dehumidifiers to dry the air, walls and furnishings.
  2. To help avoid moisture in your home, make sure that vents (with a ventilating fan) are installed in your kitchen and bathrooms.
  3. Inspect your furnace’s combustion area and vent system before each heating season. 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.
  4. Check air filters each month. A dirty filter will cause excessive wear on your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump.

Money Saving 

Plumbing

  1. Turn down the temperature on your water heater. If you set the temperature at 120° F or below, you will save about 4% of your energy cost per 10° that you lower your thermostat.
  2. Don’t wash away your money with the dishes. Always run your dishwasher full.
  3. Just do it! Fix those dripping faucets. Turn the faucet off when you are not using the water.
  4. You should occasionally check your toilets for leaks. Just place a few drops of food coloring in the tank (NOT the bowl).
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Cooling & Heating

  1. Insulating pipes and ducts that run through unheated space will result in a significant savings in your energy bill.
  2. Storm doors and windows can provide additional energy savings by preventing air loss and by creating an insulating layer of air.
  3. With a programmable thermostat, you can program winter temperature to 65º at night, then back to 72º during the day.
  4. Check the seals around windows, doors, electrical outlets or any other potential sources for escaping air.
  5. Failure to comply with all manufacturer’s instructions may result in fire or combustion that can cause property damage, serious injury or death.

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Air Quality

  1. Inside your home, weather stripping around moving parts of windows and doors can help seal off potential areas of leakage or drafts.
  2. Be sure your home is adequately insulated. Adding insulation to attic areas is usually pretty easy.

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