Keeping Appliances in Tip Top Shape
Keep the manuals
First advice to homeowners: Keep all appliance manuals and related paperwork together. Since they all have a limited warranty, they are needed for verification when calling for service.
Furnaces
Burner areas must be kept clean and free from obstructions.
The pilot light must ignite to light the burner when the thermostat gives the call for heat. If it does not, contact a HVACR technician for further diagnostics.
Maintenance: A key step is replacing the filter in the blower section. Remove the old filter, noting how it was installed. The retaining framing holds the filter in place so that when the fan is on, it will not pull the filter into the blower housing. Also, put the change date on the new filter as a reminder. Depending on filter type, change it every 30-60 days.
Issue: Leaks. They do happen. If there is a gas leak contact the fire department immediately. Open windows, turn off the gas, don’t light any matches or use any other appliances, and evacuate the home.
Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps
Air conditioning is normally used in summertime, but today’s heat pumps are A/C systems that, with some additional pieces, now provide heat when it is cold. How does it work? It transfers heat from one space to another by pumping refrigerant from one area to another. It is that simple. It does this by using a compressor and fans to circulate the air. These systems require filters be changed on a regular basis to keep the system clean, which is critical. Issue: If nothing works on a call for cooling then there is a power problem. This is probably either a tripped breaker or blown fuse. When some parts of the system seem to be working and other parts are not, call an HVACR technician.
Refrigerators
First of all, all refrigerators run 16-18 hours a day and are frost-free. This is normal.
Yearly maintenance is quite simple: First unplug refrigerator. The condenser coils, known also as the heat exchanger, need to be kept clean. This is easily done with a coil brush and vacuum. Open the refrigerator door and remove front lower panel. It just pops off. Take a brush and clean the coils. Use a vacuum to clean lint, dust, animal hair, or whatever may come out from underneath. If there are pets in the home, it should be done twice a year. With no animals, once is sufficient. If coils are on backside of unit, vacuum off the build-up on the back.
Hopefully this will Help keep appliances running for a longer time with out having repairs or replacement of units.
— Content provided by Dave Butler