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Fall furnace fix-up
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DIY tips to ensure your heating system is ready for winter's chill
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By Canadian Home Workshop, illustration by Stephen Hutchings
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1 Wrap cold-water inlet pipes with moulded polyurethane pipe wrap to minimize condensation in the humid summer months. Hot-water pipes should also be wrapped to keep the water inside the pipes warm longer.
2 Older hot-water tanks waste energy because they are often poorly insulated, but that's not true of all tanks. To test if you'll save energy by adding an insulated wrap, put your hand on top of the hot-water heater; if it feels cool, you don't need to add insulation. If it's hot, wrap away.
3 Check and adjust the hot-water thermostat. If you're concerned about scalds, run the hot-water tap and use a thermometer to measure the water temperature. A water temperature of 66°C will scald skin in about two seconds, a temperature of 60°C will scald in about six seconds.
4 Purge your hot-water tank once a year to avoid a buildup of sediment. Turn the thermostat to its minimum setting, then connect one end of a garden hose to the tank's drain spigot and the other end of the hose to a floor drain. Open the spigot and drain until the water runs clear.
5 Seal any leaky duct joints with foil tape. Don't use conventional duct tape, it will dry up and peel away after a few months.
6 Forced-air systems usually have dampers to adjust the system's airflow, increasing, reducing or balancing the airflow to system's main distribution ducts. Mark the seasonal position of the dampers so they can be switched easily from a summer position to a winter position.
7 In the basement of many air-conditioned homes (or the lower floor), vents can be closed in the summer months to push more cool air upstairs. During the heating months, these vents should be returned to an open position to allow warm air to circulate.
8 Ensure that there are no exhaust leaks in the furnace vent. A simple visual inspection will verify that there are no misaligned connections in the pipe. If you suspect a problem, call in a pro.
9 Check the wear of the blower motor's drive belt. A cracked and worn belt should be replaced-a broken drive-belt means no heat.
10 Clean or replace your furnace air filter every few months. It's an easy fix and will help keep allergens down and less dust will accumulate on surfaces inside your home. A clean filter makes the whole system run more efficiently too.
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