Service Tips

RESIDENTIAL: How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Keep heating and cooling filters clean and inspect them monthly. 

• Have your heating and cooling system thoroughly cleaned and tuned by a reputable company with certified technicians such as Total HVAC, at least twice a year.
• Install programmable thermostats and set them according to your families' schedule.
• Replace single room air cleaners with whole house models.
• Make sure all ductwork vent registers are not blocked by furniture.
• Leave all interior doors open at least 2” if the room does not have its own return air intake vent.
• Insulate your attic and ductwork. Install solar screens, awnings or plants to shade windows and walls during the summer months.
• Seal ductwork airtight.
• Turn off all lights, fans, computer monitors, etc. when a room is unoccupied.
• Consider replacing low efficiency incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
• A rusty water tank is a sign of pending problems. 

PLUMBING: Helpful Plumbing Tips

To keep your disposal smelling clean or fresh, you can add a lemon slice or lime slice. It will smell wonderful!

Disconnect hoses in winter months to keep outside hose bibs from freezing and causing water damage to your home. A little preventive maintenance can go far.

We do NOT ever recommend Drain-O as it could harm your plumbing. It has acid in it and causes a chemical reaction with your pipes.

Do NOT use your garbage disposal as a garbage can. Put excess meat, table scraps, potato peeling in your trash can. These items could cause your drainage to become clogged. Make sure when you do use your disposal that you add a lot of water to flush it all down the drain.

Do NOT flush baby wipes, diapers, feminine hygiene products, or rags down the toilet. It could clog your plumbing.

BACK UP PREVENTION

Taking notice of what is flushed down toilets and sinks can prevent most back ups. Do NOT flush down the following material (or similar items) down toilets/drains. These items can plug the main and cause damage to you and other property owners connected to the main.

• Large quantities of toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby wipes and disposable diapers
• Clothing – socks, underwear
• Plastic, metal, wood, etc.
• Large quantities of cereals or grain (they will swell with water)
• Live seeds, beans, and peas (they may sprout)
• Grease, fat or oils
• Sand
• Fibrous materials (cotton balls, hair, rags, cigarette butts)
• Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120°F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use.
• Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made. Newer water heaters are more energy efficient. 
• Make sure flammables are not stored near the water heater or furnace.

WATER HEATER

• Check the temperature setting on the water heater. It should be set no higher than 120º F to prevent scalding and reduce enrgy use.
• Consider replacing a water heater more than 15 years old. The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made. Newer water heaters are more energy efficient.
• Make sure flammables are not stored near the water heater or furnace.
• A rusty water tank is a sign of pending problems.