AUSTIN DAILY HERALD
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019
Furnace maintenance: What you need to know By Michael Stoll mike.stoll@austindailyherald.com
With winter just around the corner in Minnesota, having a working furnace is imperative to getting through the cold weather. It is because of this that heating and cooling specialists recommend yearly maintenance for furnace units. “Always be prepared for the upcoming season,” said Penny Arens, co-owner of Arens Heating & Cooling in Austin. “We recommend yearly maintenance for any unit. For a brand new unit, you can probably wait two years after it’s installed, but it is most important for filters and drain hoses (to be taken care of).” According to Arens, the company receives anywhere from five to 15 calls per day during the cold season from people having heating issues. One problem is drain hose blockage, as a lot of air conditioning drain hoses and furnace drain hoses are either combined or meet in the middle and head to a common drain. “That’s normally where we find things plugged up,” Arens said. “If the drain hose is not clear, you won’t get many more heat cycles out of it and then it’ll stop. That’s actually a good thing because it
For homeowners, making sure their furnace is working adequately is as simple as regularly changing the filters and having an annual inspection conducted. Metro image prevents the water from backing up in through the furnace and causing a need for maintenance and replacement parts, which are costly.” But drain hoses aren’t the only furnace feature subject to blockage. Intake and exhaust pipes can also be blocked. “Most fur naces these days don’t go up the chimney; they go up the sidewall, so you should keep an eye on the intake and exhaust pipes and make sure everything is intact,” Arens said. “You don’t want to have anything in front of them. Even screens should not be in front as they can freeze over and block the pipe. Pipes can also get ice on
them or snow that comes up to the top. Snow will have to be cleared away. We’ll recommend to people, if we can’t get there for a few hours, take a tape measure, shove it in there and wiggle it around. If you do have a complete blockage of light, fluffy snow, sometimes they can get it opened up before we get there.” For homeowners, making sure their furnace is working adequately is as simple as regularly changing the filters and having an annual inspection conducted. Arens said technicians look for how the unit has been maintained, check all of the safeties and make sure the inside gets cleaned, particularly
the blower wheels, which can burn out the motor if they get too dirty. Like many household appliances, the older furnaces get, the more issues can occur. “There are issues with fur naces that get to a certain age,” Arens said. “You can get condensation and rusting in heat exchangers. If anybody gets a foul smell, like a rotten egg smell, the first thing I tell them to do is shut it off and walk outside to look at that fresh air intake and exhaust. Is it brown? Is it black? If so, that’s not good. If those white pipes are showing discoloration or there is any smell at all, they need to call the heating technician to come out and do an inspection.” Arens recommends getting an inspection done before severe cold weather hits. “We do run into having a bit of a waiting period, so we’re not going to be able to accommodate everybody as quickly as they may want,” she said. “That’s our only issue. It’s human nature for people to wait until it gets cold to turn (the heat) on and sometimes they assume if it worked fine last year, of course it will star t right up. Sometimes that doesn’t happen.”
What to know before replacing your roof State Point Media
Not only does your roof need to withstand the elements over the years, it needs to look great while doing it. If it’s time to replace your roof, experts say that there are some important things to consider, particularly when it comes to the materials you select. If you’ve started the research process, you’ve likely investigated asphalt, which is by far the most popular choice of roofing material. This is because it’s lightweight; inexpensive and fast to install, and because many people believe that asphalt will help them avoid the durability problems experienced with natural alternatives like slate and real shake. Ironically, asphalt
does not always stand the test of time as one might hope. Experts point out that many homeowners are left disappointed when their decision to prioritize function over form doesn’t go as planned. “Do a search for asphalt roofing, and you may see more complaints than satisfied customers,” says Michael Cobb, general manager, DaVinci Roofscapes. “These days, not all asphalt is the same, and due to some new blends in asphalt manufacturing on the market, many roofs are failing well before their warranties.” If you’d rather not take a chance on your home roofing’s durability, and curb appeal is of importance to you, Cobb says that composite tiles can offer a
cost-effective alternative to asphalt. It can also, provide a more aesthetically appealing look, stand up better to Mother Nature, and help increase the value of your home. “There’s no denying the beauty of natural slate and shake, but that beauty can be fleeting,” says Cobb. “Natural slate is susceptible to damage caused by freeze and thaw cycles, and when it comes to natural shake, rotting, cracking and curling is inevitable.” To get the look of natural materials and have it last, take a look at durable composite roofing options on the market today. For example, the Bellaforté slate and shake tiles offered by DaVinci have a long life and are low maintenance. They resist hail, impact,
decay and fire, while offering the beauty of natural roofing materials. Staggered edges, color variations and dramatic shadows of the brand’s polymer shake tiles contribute to their beauty, and mimic the appearance of natural shake. One more important thing to consider is the quality of warranty that accompanies the product you select. Before replacing your roof, be sure that your new roof is backed by a limited lifetime warranty. This can save you headaches and expenses down the line. And, check with your insurance company. A new composite roof may be able to save you on homeowner insurance premiums since it is impact- and fire-resistant.
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Home weatherization 101: Tips for a comfortable home State Point Media
Do seasonal temperatures sometimes leave you frustrated with your home’s lack of insulation? Staying comfortable indoors is a top priority for most people, and luckily, it’s easy to ensure your home is an optimal temperature. With a few quick tips and home defense strategies, you’ll be on your way to a more comfortable abode in just a few hours.
Is that a draft?
First, you’ ll need to identify the source — or sources — of leaks. Don’t stress — it’s easy! Hold an incense stick near potential draft sources, such as windows and doors. If the smoke blows sideways, you’ll know an air leak exists and it’s time to weatherize. But don’t stop there. Areas such as attic access openings, pulldown stairs and exterior electrical sockets are additional, often overlooked sources of air leaks.
So, now what?
Once you’ve identified the leaks, it’s time to stop them. Window and door
seals take a beating from nor mal wear-and-tear and can be a large source of drafts coming into the home. Replace old, cracked seals with such products as Duck Brand Heavy-Duty Weatherstrip Seals, which are made with durable, flexible material, allowing them to stand up against extreme temperatures that cause other seals to freeze or crack. They help to block cold winter air from entering, as well as dust, pollen and insects during the warmer months. For added protection w i t h o l d e r w i n d ow s, an easy-to-install, crystal-clear option like Duck Brand Roll-On Window Insulation Kits can create an additional barrier against cold air. When applied to indoor window frames, the film provides an airtight seal that’s easily removed once warmer weather arrives. Finally, address the hidden leaks with solutions like Duck Brand Socket Sealers Insulating Seals. They fit behind outlets or light switch faceplate covers. When installed on exterior walls, they act as a buffer between the inside and outside air.