Question about maintaining hot water tank and HVAC

[newbie]

A newbie homeowner here.

I have no clue how to maintain the hot water tank and the HVAC system in my basement. I have not had any checkups for them since I moved in the house about 5 years ago. Everything works as expected. So I think why bother. Until I read about the furnace filter online...

Some HVAC expert mentioned that those expensive, high MERV 1" pleated filters I am using are not good. The cheap, spun fiberglass kinds are better. The reason is that the high MERV pleated filters are easy to be clogged, thus restricting the air flow (high "pressure drop" in technical term; in my case, the air flow can blow the pleated filter out of its place, leaving a big gap for dirt to pass).

I thought maybe it's time to hire a pro to check my HVAC system and hot water tank before serious failure occurs.

The question is who should I call (I hate being taken for a ride by pros when they discover I am a newbie) ?

[Guest]

The hot water tank will usually be fine and a relative who is a plumber had told me to not bother draining the tank like some will say and he hates the blankets. They trap moisture around the tank causing premature failure and also can be a fire hazard.

On the HVAC there are two things. You may have a humidifier attached that needs to have water put in every few months. The other thing is buy the cheap filters and change them every 6 months. It's cost effective and ensures the system operates efficiently.

[Guest]

You do not need to call a professional for some simple maintenance tasks.

All hot water tanks gather sediment over time which will eventually end up corroding the bottom of the tank. It is a pretty simple task to drain a gallon or two from the tank using the valve at the bottom. This will also enable the drain valve to operate well - should the entire tank need to be drained at some point. This should be done regularly - about once a year (depending on the quality of your water). You will see discolored water come from the tank.

Air handler filters should be changed at least every 6 months. The heavy pleated models may need to be changed more often for a number of reasons (pets, open windows, etc.). The smart thing is to buy a few replacement filters and check the machine every month until you figure out how often it makes sense to replace it. After a new filter has been in place for one month, turn off the unit, remove the filter and hold it up to a light. If you cannot see any light through the filter, it needs to be changed. Try doing this every few months to get a feel for how often the filter clogs. Clear filters will enable your air handler to work more efficiently and save you money in the long run.

DO NOT replace the pleated filter with a cheap one from a home center. They do nothing other than protect the equipment from damage by debris sucked into the system and do not filter anything at all. Air handlers with poor filters actually circulate dust and debris through the entire duct system and eventually will need to be professionally cleaned with a steep price tag. The air handler works like a big vacuum cleaner - no one would run a vacuum without a good bag (filter)!

[op]

[op again]

BTW, the following recent talk is quite interesting. The filter size 20x25x1 is the same as the one used in my system.

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=340262

It's a 23-page long discussion (with humors in between). It's an interesting read if you have time to spare.

[Guest]

Try this commercial and industrial strength Fiberglass filter: (20"x25"x1", $36 for a case of 12):

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0400026

Available at:

Fastenal
1163 Route 130
Robbinsville, NJ 08691
P: (609)259-4290

[Guest]

There is also a Fastenal located at 9 Corporate Drive just off of Rt 535 in Cranbury.