Helpful Hints and Tips

Heating

1) Protect the thermostat from anything that would cause it to give a false reading. If the thermostat is in a draft, misplaced on a cold outside wall, or too close to a heat-producing register, its accuracy will be compromised.

2) Install a thermostat timer to save fuel and money. The timer can be set to automatically raise and lower the temperature during peak and off-hours.

3) Avoid constant thermostat adjustments, as they can waste fuel. When coming into the house after the thermostat has been turned down, don’t set it higher than the desired temperature. Setting the thermostat up very high generally will not cause the temperature to reach the desired level any faster.

4) One heating adjustment you should make, however, is a reduction in the thermostat setting before you go to bed every night. Cutting back for several hours can make a very big difference in fuel consumption.

5) Reduce the thermostat setting when you have a large group of people in your home. People generate heat, and a party can quickly raise the temperature.

Air Conditioning

1) Before each cooling season, it is recommended that central air conditioners get a professional tune-up. This is the biggest step to preventing major malfunctions in an AC unit.

2) Probably the most important step that can be done by a homeowner is to clean or replace the air filter every month.

3) Keep vegetation at least 2 feet away from outdoor units on each side and above. Aim grass clippings away from the unit when mowing the lawn. During the fall, keep the fan grill free of leaves.

4) During the winter months, protect the condenser unit with a form-fitting cover. To avoid damaging the compressor, don’t operate the unit when it’s below 60 degrees F outside.

5) Raise the temperature settings. Each degree of temperature can represent up to 9 percent savings in cooling costs.

Standby Generators

1) Simple maintenance is required for generators. All generators require periodic oil and filter changes to ensure maximum performance for years of reliable service. Yost and Campbell offers annual maintenance contracts for a worry-free ownership experience.Refer to the owner’s manual for routine maintenance procedures and schedules.

2) If you don’t use a Yost and Campbell offers annual maintenance contract, remember to must use a SAE rated high detergent oil that meets API Service Class SF requirements for gasoline engines, similar to your car. Refer to your owner’s manual for details.

3) Generac generators are equipped with overload protection. In the rare event of an overload, the generator’s circuit breaker will trip, disconnecting the unit from the load. Simply correct the overload and reset the breaker in the generator.

Water Heaters

1) Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 12% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient model.

2) Install aerating, low-flow faucets and shower heads. Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.

3) Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.

4) Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

5) Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

6) Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer’s advice.

Plumbing

1) Erratic or weak pressure usually indicates mineral buildup. To restore proper flow, clean outlet holes with a pin or unscrew a perforated face plate and soak it overnight in vinegar, then scrub it clean.

2) Before doing any work, turn off the water at the fixture shutoff valves or at the main shutoff valve. Open the faucet to drain the pipes.

3) If you are cleaning sink drains, remember this: Foreign objects need to be manually removed. Flushing them out usually isn’t an option, otherwise they wouldn’t be clogging up your drain. Never pour a chemical or drain cleaners into the drain first. If you need to snake out a pipe or manually clear it first. Always pour your cleaning agent last. Wear face protection when snaking out a drain to avoid getting bacteria near your eyes, nose, and mouth. When pouring any cleaning agent, check the packaging to learn proper rinse timing. Some drain cleaning productions need to sit inside the pipes for a period of time to be effective. Don’t let anyone run the water until the cleaning period is over and you have completely rinsed the drain cleaning products away.

4) Do you notice damp walls or floors around your laundry room sink? Check the pipes and fittings for leaks or loose joints in your pipe connections. Tighten loose connections and you may stop an incidental leak without the need to call a plumber. You can also deal with small leaks from holes in a pipe by wrapping the pipe in rubber hose and applying clamps at the top, bottom, and at the source of the leak. Epoxy over a small hole with plumber’s epoxy designed specifically for these types of leaks.

5) Another laundry center problem comes from clogs. If you have a buildup of soap, lint, or hair in your laundry room sink drain or floor drain, eventually a clog will form. If you have a water shutoff valve installed on your laundry room sink, turn off the water, and remove the u-shaped pipe and look for the clog. You may need to inspect the straight ends of the pipe on either side to find the clumped hair and soap. Once the clog is removed, your drains will work normally again.

6) Want a luxury bathroom design but don’t want a compete remodel? We can help you create the perfect bathroom by upgrading one piece at a time. Sometimes you can change the look of a bath sink simply by replacing the faucets. Sinks and faucets should be matched carefully since they come in a variety of hole drillings and basins. You’ll want to use the configuration of your original faucet as a guide to buying a replacement. We have many models and styles to choose from!

Energy Conservation

1) Install programmable thermostat that will heat or cool the house only at certain times of day will help cut costs.

2) Using dimmer switches and three-way light bulbs can help reduce electricity consumption.

3) Install compact fluorescent bulbs in lamps and other fixtures. They produce more light with less electricity and last longer too.

4) Keep blinds and drapes closed during summer months to prevent sunlight from heating up the house. During the winter, take advantage of the sun’s rays by opening blinds and shades.

5) Fireplaces are common sources of energy loss. Be sure the damper is working and that it’s closed when the fireplace isn’t in use. To insulate the chimney even more, install a chimney cap, which seals out pests and prevents heat loss.

6) Glass fireplace doors can also help prevent energy loss. Keep them closed unless access to the fireplace is needed.

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