Archive for January, 2012

I write blogs fairly often about things you can do yourself to maintain your home and make it more energy efficient. But, there are some things that should be left to a professional. Appliance repair, extensive remodels, and sealing some air leaks. If you experience any of the following issues, make sure to call an expert right away!

• Wet Insulation - this means that your roof is leaking. Your roofing company will be able to find and repair the source of the leak.
• Ice Dams - Recurring ice dams usually mean you have an air leak along your attic-roof line. Sealing this leak will help prevent water damage to your attic and home.
• Water Damage - Moldy and rotten wood signify a moisture problem and this leak has probably been there for a while.
• Ventilation Issues - If you don’t have sufficient attic ventilation, it won’t be able to get rid of excess moisture. If you bathroom or kitchen vents into the attic, this only makes the moisture problem worse and can cause water damage.

If you notice any of these problems, call your certified AC Doctor contractor to find and repair any air leaks.

I know winter is already here and it’s a little late for the seasonal maintenance reminder, but if you haven’t gotten your boiler serviced, you need to do it now!  Before calling your Certified AC Doctor Contractor, you can do some of the maintenance on your own.

1. Visually inspect the boiler.  Walk around it to look for any cracks or damages and check the floor to make sure no water is leaking.
2. Start the boiler and let it run.  Check again for any cracks or leaks- if you find any, turn it off right away and call your Certified AC Doctor Contractor.
3. Check the boiler pressure.  Your owner’s manual will tell you what pressure the boiler should be running at.  You will want to check the pressure at least once a month throughout the cooling season.  If the pressure is not where it should be, make sure you make a note of it so you can let your contractor know when you make your seasonal maintenance appointment.
4. Keep the area around your boiler clear.  You definitely don’t want to keep anything flammable near the boiler, but you also want the area clear just in case of emergency.
5. Have your boiler serviced.  You need to have all of your HVAC equipment serviced seasonally - this may prevent a costly breakdown that will hurt your wallet and leave you shivering (or sweating in the summer).

If you’ve misplaced your owner’s manual, you can find one here.  While performing your maintenance, make sure to write down anything that seems out of the ordinary and have it handy for your contractor so he knows what to look for when servicing your unit.