Condensate Pump Cleanings
An HVAC Condensate Pump is a very reliable part of the unit. It requires periodic maintenance and cleaning to ward off unwanted problems and premature failures. A condensate pump operating incorrectly can lead to problems with your system, including the overflow of water and water damage. The excess water / moisture could lead to the growth of mold and mildew inside your home. It is important to inspect your condensate pump and to clean it regularly.
Humidifier Cleanings
What goes into furnace humidifier maintenance?
Just like your furnace, your humidifier requires maintenance about once a year to ensure that it is functioning properly and doesn’t cause any damage to your heating system. Some of the most important maintenance tasks include:
- Changing your humidifier pad. Just like the air filter for your furnace, your humidifier pad needs to be replaced when it is no longer effective. Humidifier pads typically need to be changed once per year, however you might need to change yours more frequently if your home has hard water.
- Checking for leaks. When your humidifier is operating, a portion of the water that it uses is drained through a hose that is attached to the bottom of the unit. Over time, sediment from your home’s water supply and pieces of your humidifier pad can clog up the hose and lead to a leak on or around your heating system. Inspect your humidifier and the area around your furnace to ensure that a leak has not developed.
- Keeping your unit clean. If your humidifier is dirty, it can operate improperly and lead to air quality issues in your home. Check your unit for dirt buildup and be sure to keep your unit as clean as possible.
Electronic Air Cleaners
Electronic Air Cleaners are proven to reduce the amount of dust mites, mold spores, bacteria and other contaminants in the air. In fact, they’re 10 to 20 times more efficient at trapping particles than standard fiberglass HVAC filters. Because of the way they operate, though, their efficiency is dependent on how well they’re maintained.
- Electronic air cleaners, or electrostatic precipitators, consist of three areas: screen pre-filter, a high voltage ionization section and metal collector plates. When air enters the cleaner, larger particles are trapped by the pre-filter. As the air moves farther into the cleaner, the remaining particles receive an electric charge that’s the opposite of the collector plates’ charge. The collector plates then use an electrostatic field to trap the air contaminants.
- The particles stick to the collector plates until the plates are washed. If the collector plates become clogged, they’ll be unable to trap more contaminants and improve your indoor air quality. A dirty air cleaner also slows airflow through your HVAC system, which forces the blower motor to work harder and waste energy.
- Under average conditions, electronic air cleaners should have their collector plates cleaned once every three months. If you have smokers in your household, multiple pets, a large amount of dust or other indoor air quality problems, you may need to clean the plates more often.
6 month drain line treatment strips
Drain Line Treatment Strips control odors and prevent overflows by plugging condensate drain lines. They can also be used on humidifiers. Drain Line Treatment Strips are safe, non-corrosive, non-toxic and biodegradable. The product is completely soluble in water and it does not form any deposits in the pan or drain.
Left untreated, condensate pans can suffer from the build-up of sludge, scum and other accumulations. This build-up can cause odors as well as plugged drains and overflows, which in turn could result in water damage. Drain Line Treatment Strips are effective in cleaning and preventing deposits, and its use will eliminate the extra maintenance costs associated with odors, plugged drains and overflows.
