Did you know that 10% of homes in the U.S. have leaks? These leaks will waste about 90 gallons of water each day.
Even small leaks will lead to massive wasting of water, up to 1 trillion gallons a year. By repairing these leaks, homeowners can conserve water and save 10% on water bills.
Home maintenance is an important part of being a responsible homeowner. Follow these plumbing and heating maintenance tips to keep your HVAC system and water system in check.
Keep reading to learn more.
Table of Contents
1. Winterize Your HVAC System
By preparing your air conditioner and heating system for the winter, you can prevent a lot of issues that can become costly and stressful down the line.
Placing draft blockers on windows and doors is a way to prep your HVAC system because they’ll help it run as efficiently as possible. Draft blockers are tubes filled with insulation that keep warm air from escaping and cold air from getting into your home.
This ensures that your HVAC system doesn’t go into overdrive. You can also lower your energy bill by doing this simple winter prep.
2. Adjust the Thermostat Setting
Changing weather can lead you to change the temperature on your thermostat throughout the day as you adjust. This constant change can raise your energy bill and overwork your HVAC system.
This will more often than not damage your HVAC system. Avoid damage by programming your thermostat to stay at a consistent temperature throughout the day. You can even program it to turn off while you’re away from home, thus conserving energy.
3. Inspect the Air Filter
One of the most important HVAC maintenance tips is to check on your system’s air filter more often. There are different kinds of air filters depending on your system.
Some filters can be taken out and cleaned while others need to be disposed of and replaced. It’s a good idea to check your air filter every three months to see if it needs cleaning or replacing.
An HVAC system with a dirty filter will run slower and will break down if not changed. This is an easy problem to avoid and a way to keep your HVAC system in good shape.
4. Pay Attention to Your Condenser Unit
Since the condenser unit sits outside it’s exposed to natural elements day in and day out. Dirt and leaves that collect around the unit can disrupt airflow and keep the HVAC system from running smoothly during the winter.
Cleaning up the area around the unit is necessary maintenance so that you don’t run into problems later on. Use a rake to pick up any leaves and a hose to wash away dirt every time you notice a buildup.
5. Schedule a Checkup With an HVAC Technician
While most of these maintenance tips are pretty simple to follow, it’s still important to have a trained technician routinely check your furnace to make sure everything is running properly.
You can schedule a checkup before the winter months and then again before summer. This can prevent any issue from getting too big.
Whether your unit is having ventilation issues or you need your air ducts to be cleaned, a technician will provide the expert service required.
6. Avoid Plumbing Issues by Checking the Sump Pump
While a functioning sump pump is more crucial during the summer months, checking its functionality year-round will prevent any bigger issues from forming. Checking that the sump pump is working normally is simple.
You want to make sure you clean the outside drain pipe, removing any dirt or leaves that have collected in and around it. The sump pump should be connected to a power source and the motor should be on.
You’ll then start pouring water into the pit slowly. The sump pump should begin to pump the water out. If it doesn’t, you need to get this issue resolved as soon as possible.
7. Lower the Water Pressure
Lowering the water pressure in your home is a great way to keep your plumbing system in good shape. High water pressure will make your plumbing system work more, which can lead to a burst or other damage to the pipes.
Lowering the water pressure will keep your pipes from working so hard and lower the risk of damage.
8. Get Leaks Fixed Quickly
The amount of water wasted from overlooked leaks is bad for the environment and your wallet. An important plumbing maintenance tip is to be on the lookout for leaks coming from your faucets or showers.
You’ll also be able to tell if you have a leaky faucet if you experience a sudden and unexpected increase in the price of your water bill. Repair these leaks as soon as possible.
You can do these repairs on your own or look through a list of plumbers to find a trained professional to fix the issue for you.
9. Check on the Water Heater
The water heater in your home will work harder in the winter to distribute hot water throughout your house. Make sure that your water heater is serviced before the cold starts to prevent any spikes in your energy bill.
10. Get Your Pipes Insulated
Insulating your water pipes before the cold weather begins is an important part of plumbing maintenance you need to practice each year. The insulation will keep water from freezing and bursting the pipes.
Prevent damage to your plumbing system with this simple preventative measure.
Plumbing and Heating Maintenance Tips to Follow
There are many plumbing and heating maintenance tips you should follow when you own a home. Scheduling routine tune-ups for your HVAC system and fixing any leaks before they become more serious will keep everything running efficiently.
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