Air Conditioning System
-Routine Maintenance Tips
- To ensure efficient operation, check filters every month. Clean or replace as needed.
- Have annual system maintenance service performed one month before the cooling season begins.
- Keep the condensing unit free of debris.
- Trim shrubs and plants near condensing unit to ensure proper air flow/circulation.
- Bent condensing unit fins can be straightened with a fin comb.
-Quick Fixes
Problem: Water leaks into the walls or ceiling.
- Make sure the drain line is not restricted and condensation drains freely.
Problem: Unit constantly cycles on and off.
- Call a qualified professional to clean the evaporator and fan.
Problem: Air conditioner doesn’t make air cool enough.
- Keep the area around the exterior condensing unit clear of leaves, bushes and other obstructions to ensure adequate airflow.
- Clean or replace the air filter.
- Create shade for the unit.
- Secure the insulation firmly to the suction line (large line) and replace any worn-out insulation.
Heating System
-Routine Maintenance Tips
- Check filters every month.
- Smell around the appliance for gas odors.
- Visually inspect exhaust vent for rust, damage or deterioration.
- Have annual system maintenance service performed one month before the heating season begins.
-Quick Fixes
Problem: There is no heat at all.
- Check for blown fuses or a tripped circuit breaker.
- Replace the drive belt.
- Call a qualified professional.
Problem: Your rooms aren’t warm enough.
- Replace the filter.
- Clean the registers; remove obstructions blocking register.
- Seal the leaking ducts with duct tape.
- Call a qualified professional.
Problem: Soot collects in your house.
- Replace the filter.
- Call a qualified professional to clean heating system.
Problem: The blower makes unusual noises when the burner is off.
- Tighten the setscrews of the pulley.
- Replace the blower mounts.
- Replace the drive belt.
- Adjust the belt tension.
- Call a qualified professional.
Electrical System
-Routine Maintenance Tips
- To help prevent power outages, make sure there are not too many appliances plugged into one circuit.
- Regularly use self-test button on ground fault circuit interrupters/arc fault circuit interrupters to ensure proper working order.
-Quick Fixes
Problem: No electricity to an outlet.
- Check circuit breaker box.
- Try plugging in another item to that outlet.
- Check all other outlets.
- Call a qualified professional.
-Technical Terms
Circuit Breaker:
A device for interrupting an electric circuit to prevent excessive current, as caused by a short circuit, from damaging the apparatus in the circuit or from causing a fire.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter):
A life safety device commonly used in outdoor, bathroom and kitchen locations that limits ground fault to 5 milliamps.
Plumbing System
-Routine Maintenance Tips
- Toilet paper should be the only product flushed down a toilet.
- Maintain water softener according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Water filters and icemaker filters should be changed according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Avoid using your garbage disposal if you’re on a septic system.
- Drain sediment from water heater tank according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
-Quick Fixes
Problem: little or no water from the faucet or shower head.
- Check to ensure water shut-off valves are completely open. Remove aerators and clean them as needed.
- Call a qualified professional.
-Technical Terms
Shut-off valve:
A valve that controls the flow of water to an individual fixture, allowing water supply to be stopped to one fixture without affecting the water supply to other fixtures.
Aerator:
A device that exposes air or causes air to circulate through the water line.
Range/Oven
-Routine Maintenance Tips
- To avoid damaging the burners/heating elements, do not use extra-large and heavy cooking pots or pans.
- If you have a self-cleaning oven, do not use any other method to clean it.
- Mineral deposits on the electric heating element can be cleaned with vinegar.
- Clean or change range hood exhaust filters regularly.
-Quick Fixes
Gas Range
Problem: A surface burner doesn’t light.
- Ensure gas shut-off valve is turned to the open position.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for relighting the pilot.
- Repair or replace spark igniter.
Problem: Pilot light doesn’t remain lit.
- Use a small wire to clean the port.
- Try to prevent drafts near the range.
- Replace thermocouple.
Electric Range
Problem: The range is not working at all.
- Check for blown fuses or a tripped circuit breakers. If you don’t find a problem, call an electrician.
Problem: One of the elements doesn’t heat.
- Check each part for continuity and replace if necessary.
Refrigerator
-Routine Maintenance Tips
- Clean the interior shelves, shell and gaskets every three months.
- Once a year, clean the coils on the back or underneath with a vacuum cleaner.
- 37ºF is an ideal temperature for your refrigerator compartment and 0ºF for the freezer.
- If the door gasket is sealing properly, it should hold a dollar bill in place when closed.
-Quick Fixes
Problem: The refrigerator is not running, no sound can be heard and the interior light is out.
- Check for blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
- Check plug and replace the cord if damaged.
Problem: The Refrigerator constantly cycles on and off.
- Clean the coils with a vacuum only.
- Call a qualified professional.
Problem: The Refrigerator has stopped running, the light is on and you hear an occasional clicking.
- Replace fan if necessary.
- Test the thermostat and replace if necessary.
Problem: Frost forms rapidly or the unit does not defrost.
- Open door less often.
- Adjust the door hinges to ensure a tight door seal.
- Clean or replace the gasket. Leaks in the door seal will make it difficult to maintain desired temperature.
Washer
-Routine Maintenance Tips
- To adjust the level of your washing machine, turn the legs clockwise to lower them or counter-clockwise to raise them.
- Inspect cold and hot supply hoses for cracks or deterioration.
-Quick Fixes
Problem: Washing machine does not operate.
- Check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breaker.
- Open the water shut-off valves.
Problem: Washing machine doesn’t fill with water.
- Check and clean the hot and cold inlet hose filters.
- Straighten the water supply hoses.
- Turn the timer slightly or press the buttons firmly.
Problem: Water doesn’t stop filling the tub.
- Check the overflow switch and replace it.
- Replace the timer or call a qualified professional.
Problem: Tub fills with water but machine doesn’t run.
- Make sure the lid is closed. If it is, ensure switch is fully pressed.
- Lighten load and wait 15 minutes for the motor to reset.
Dryer
-Routine Maintenance Tips
- Clean the lint screen after each load of clothes has been dried.
- To adjust the level of your clothes dryer, turn the legs clockwise to lower them or counter-clockwise to raise them.
-Quick Fixes
Problem: Dryer does not operate.
- Check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breaker.
- Check the door switch and replace if necessary.
- Check the timer control and replace if necessary.
Problem: Motor runs, but the drum doesn’t run.
- Open the unit and look for obstructions around the drum.
- Replace the belt.
- Check the drum assembly and repair/replace if necessary.
Problem: Drums turns, but clothes remain wet.
- Clean the lint screen and the exhaust vent.
- Check the thermostat and replace if necessary.
- Check the heating element and replace if necessary.
- Check the timer and replace if necessary.
Problem: It takes too long to dry a load.
- Clean the lint screen and exhaust vent.
- Reduce the load and try again.
Garbage Disposal
-Routine Maintenance Tips
- To clean the disposal, feed a full tray of ice cubes through it while running cold water.
- To prevent stoppages, remember to run water during use and for at least twenty seconds after you finish.
- Make sure rubber splashguard is not damaged or missing.
- Avoid using a garbage disposal if you are on a septic system.
-Quick Fixes
Problem: Garbage disposal does not operate.
- Check for blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers. If the disposal is plugged into a wall outlet, ensure the outlet has power.
- On continuous-feed models, check the wall switch. On batch-feed models, check the stopper switch.
- If the flywheel is jammed, free it using the supplied tool or a long wooden spoon handle. Push the reset button.
Problem: Motor hums but unit doesn’t grind.
- Free the flywheel using the supplied tool. Push the reset button.
- Call a qualified professional.
Problem: The disposal grinds things too slowly.
- Run more cold water when using the disposal.
- Only dispose of materials allowed by the manual.
- Replace defective parts
