Your Winter Maintenance Guide

Our winter maintenance guide includes a breakdown of items for inspection so that you can be sure your home is always running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. 

Check air ducts, remove covers and vacuum dust from vents.
Have your air ducts cleaned if they are visibly contaminated with mold, pests or vermin, or are clogged with a significant amount of dust and debris. To lightly clean your vents, turn power off to your heating and air conditioning system, remove the vent cover, and vacuum to clean dust or dirt.

Check for excessive snow on the roof and have it removed if necessary.
To prevent injury, consult with a professional to clean snow and ice from your home’s overhang and vents.

Clean or replace furnace filter, humidifier and heat recovery ventilator (HRV).
Furnace filter: A clogged furnace filter will impact air flow throughout the house; be sure to replace it every month for the first year. After that time, you may resume a normal cycle of every three months.

Humidifier: Ensure the equipment is off before servicing (consult user manual). Remove the white cover plate on the front of the unit, then detach filter. Gently clean so as not to remove the protective coating that helps retain moisture, then reinstall.

HRV: Ensure the equipment is off before servicing (consult user manual). Gently remove the two white reusable filters from the HRV unit; clean and dry thoroughly before reinstalling. A light vacuuming of the HRV unit may be required, as some dust and debris from the exterior can make its way in.

Monitor your home’s humidity levels.
The use of a dehumidifier will greatly help reduce moisture levels in the home, as will the use of an air conditioner. Cold cellar vents should not be obstructed or blocked to allow air flow (it is not recommended to use a cold cellar to store organic goods, as it can promote mold growth). For a better idea of the overall humidity level in your home, it is recommended that you purchase a hygrometer.

Check and reset ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
GFCI outlets help prevent you from electrical shock, as they are specially designed to cut power from the outlet when an imbalance or power surge flows through them. To test, locate the two rectangular buttons between the cord slots. Press the test button with your finger; you will hear a snap that trips the outlet and cuts off the power to all outlets on that circuit. Once confirmed that the safety function is working properly, press the reset button to restore power to the outlet.

Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working correctly. Cachet homes feature dual function smoke alarms (hard wired with battery backup) that should be replaced only when the unit’s lifespan has been exhausted, approximately every 10 years. Check your fire extinguishers to ensure there are no leaks and that the pin is in place.

Check water heater for leaks.
For gas heaters, if rust is present without signs of a leak, condensation may be forming inside the tank. Call Enercare for any servicing matters.

Check sealing around windows and doors for air and water leaks.

To help increase your home’s energy efficiency, recaulk seals on doors and windows.

Check and ensure air intakes and exhausts are clear of snow.
Look at your furnace and find the intake and exhaust pipes, and locate where they exit your home (most likely through a wall near the furnace). Then, go outside and check the pipes for any blockages, including snow and ice; remove anything that may clog the airflow.

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