FROM THE EVENFLOW FAMILY TO YOURS......

 

 

WISHING YOU THE BEST NEW YEAR EVER!

 

Winter Weather Tips:  PART I
 

Set the Thermostat Properly
The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat at the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings are 68 degrees for winter heating. When heating, your operating costs increase 3 percent to 8 percent for each degree your thermostat is raised.

Tune-Up Heating System Annually
Energy costs has increased up to 60 percent or more this year. One way you can minimize this increased expense is by having annual service done to your heating system. Studies show that homeowners having annual service to their systems spend an average of 30 dollars less each month because of increased efficiency. Lack of regular maintenance is also the number 1 cause of system breakdowns and costly repairs.

Keep the Air Filter Clean
The easiest way to ensure your system operated efficiently is by keeping the air filter clean. There are several types of air filters and several possible locations for the air filter on your furnace. Ask your service technician next time he is out at your home to show you where your air filter is located and which type of air filter to use. If you have allergies, you should look at a pleated allergy filter or a media or electronic style air cleaner.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

From all of us at Evenflow Mechanical, we want to wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons!

With all of the cold weather we have been getting, we would like to encourage you to be careful out on the roads.

If you are kicking yourself because you didn't get your furnace or heating unit checked before it got too cold, it's not too late!  Evenflow is still offering you a chance to have it serviced, and for a limited time we are offering our twice a year maintenance contract at a special price!  So don't delay and sign up for our maintenance contract or schedule a call today.

Christmas Tree Safety - PT II

Keep an eye on extension cords, as they can occasionally overheat. Just touch-test the cord. If it is hot, unplug it.

Do not use tacks, nails or screws to hang lights, which can pierce the cable and become electrified. Use insulated hooks instead.

When running extension cords along the ground, make sure to elevate plugs and connectors with a brick to keep snow, water and debris out of the connections.

Tape down any ground-level extensions cords to prevent people from tripping over them. 

Check to make sure lights have been rated by a testing laboratory. You can see a list of federally recognized labs on the Occupational Safety & Health Administrations website.

Not all lights are rated for outdoor use. Indoor lights often have thinner insulation, which can become cracked and damaged when exposed to the elements outdoors. So make sure the ones you string up on the house belong out there.

Do not leave Christmas lights running when you go to bed at night or when you leave the house.

When you put your lights back into storage after the holidays, make sure to put them in a well-sealed container to prevent possible water damage and to block hungry rodents looking to turn the cords into lunch. My final advice? Be careful with ladders.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

Christmas Tree Safety - PT I

A house lit up with Christmas lights is a beautiful sight to behold. But stringing lights across your roof and around your home can be a real safety hazard if you are not careful. So before you flip the switch to dazzle friends and family with your spectacular light show, take a few moments to run through a quick safety checklist.

 Before you string up a single strand of lights, carefully check them for cracked cords, frayed ends or loose connections.

The combination of shorts in electrical lights and a tinder-dry tree can be deadly. There are 250 Christmas tree fires and 14 related deaths each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. So keep your tree well-watered. Not only will it stay fresh and green, but it might also keep your house from burning down.

Modern lights have fused plugs, preventing sparks in case of a short circuit. Ditch old strands of lights that do not have fuses and get a set of newer, safer lights.  

If bulbs have burned out, replace them right away, but make sure you use the correct wattage bulbs.

Water and debris can get into outdoor sockets, so make sure outdoor lights are plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet to reduce the risk of shorts and shocks.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com

Fall HVAC Maintenance Tips  

 

Believe it or not, the weather will cool down before you know it and you will want your heating system to be working properly. Regularly scheduled maintenance by a professional is essential for keeping your system in top operating condition.

Filters should be checked monthly, especially in times of high usage. Dirty filters can result in your system running inefficiently and raising your energy costs. Dirt and dust trapped in your system can also lead to expensive repairs if allowed to build up over time. Use the best quality filters for the best results.

Check your ductwork for cracks or loose seams where your heated air can escape. Seal all seams and connections with metal-backed or duct sealant (mastic) tape. You can then wrap ductwork with insulation to keep your ducts leak-free. Speaking of insulation, having the proper wall and ceiling insulation in your home can result in energy savings in both summer and winter. Both the U.S. Department of Energy and APS provide guidelines for proper insulation in specific geographic regions.

Check your condenser as well. First remove any grass, weeds or vines that may have grown up around your condenser, obstructing air flow. Also remove any leaves or other debris. Using a dry, soft brush, clean the exterior of the condenser to remove accumulated dirt. If you are reaching the fins, use care when brushing away dirt. Fins are lightweight and easily damaged. Do not use your hose, as the dirt can turn to mud packed between the fins.

The concrete pad on which your condenser rests should be level. You can check this by setting a carpenters level front to back and side to side on top of the condenser. If you need to level your pad, you can pry it up slightly and fill underneath with a little gravel. These easy, common-sense measures will keep your home and your wallet comfortable this fall.

For more information visit www.evenflowmechanical.com