Do It Yourself Tips

DIY Tips

With the proper maintenance and care, your heating and cooling equipment will operate dependably for many years. There are a few maintenance operations you can do yourself to help ensure the best performance.

Check Filter – Check the air filter in your furnace or fan coil each month. A dirty filter will cause excessive wear on your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump. Replace your filter when necessary, or clean it if you have the reusable type. (If you have a reusable filter, make sure it’s completely dry before you re-install it.)

Remove Debris – Keep your outdoor condensing unit free of debris. If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and debris away from your outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care. Check the base pan (under the unit) occasionally and remove debris, to help the unit drain properly.

Brush Exterior – 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. To clean dirt that is deep in the coil, contact a Brody-Pennell representative to schedule maintenance.

Check Level – Make sure your outdoor coil stays in a level position. If the support for your outdoor coil shifts or settles and the unit is no longer level, re-level it to make sure moisture drains properly out from under the unit.

Inspect Ventilation – Inspect your furnace’s combustion area and vent system before each heating season. If you find dirt, soot or rust, your system may not operate properly or at its peak efficiency. Call Brody-Pennell and do not operate your furnace until it is professionally inspected and/or repaired.

Clean Humidifier – Clean your humidifier at the beginning of every heating season. Review your owner’s manual for the proper procedure to clean the evaporator pad and external components.

Clean Air Cleaner – The pre-filter and collection cells of an electronic air cleaner should be cleaned at least two or three times per year.

Money Saving Tips

Programmable Thermostat – With a programmable thermostat you can program winter temperature at 65º at night, then back to 72º during the day. This simple program can save up to 15% on heating bills. If you need your furnace professionally serviced or inspected, call Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning. We service and maintain all makes and models of air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps.

Insulation – Be sure your home is adequately insulated. Adding insulation to attic areas is usually pretty easy. Other areas, such as outside walls, provide a more challenging project if extra insulation is needed.

Seals – Check the seals around windows, doors, electrical outlets or any other potential sources for escaping air. Seal these areas using a good quality caulk, and be sure to re-examine your handiwork every few years.

Weather Stripping – Inside your home, weather stripping around moving parts of windows and doors can help seal off potential areas of leakage or drafts. Storm Systems – Storm doors and windows can provide additional energy savings by preventing air loss and by creating an insulating layer of air.