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[quote="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.[/quote]
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<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" width="100%" class="forumline"> <tr> <th class="thCornerL" width="22%" height="26">Author</th> <th class="thCornerR">Message</th> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Guest</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Mon, Aug 31 2009, 10:51 pm EDT<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Question about maintaining hot water tank and HVAC</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">There is also a Fastenal located at 9 Corporate Drive just off of Rt 535 in Cranbury.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Guest</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Mon, Aug 31 2009, 8:21 pm EDT<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Question about maintaining hot water tank and HVAC</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">Try this commercial and industrial strength Fiberglass filter: (20"x25"x1", $36 for a case of 12): <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0400026" target="_blank">http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0400026</a> <br /> <br />Available at: <br /> <br />Fastenal <br />1163 Route 130 <br />Robbinsville, NJ 08691 <br />P: (609)259-4290</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>op again</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Sat, Aug 29 2009, 2:32 pm EDT<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Question about maintaining hot water tank and HVAC</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">BTW, the following recent talk is quite interesting. The filter size 20x25x1 is the same as the one used in my system. <br /> <br /><a href="http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=340262" target="_blank">http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=340262</a> <br /> <br />It's a 23-page long discussion (with humors in between). It's an interesting read if you have time to spare. <img src="images/smiles/icon_cool.gif" alt="Cool" border="0" /></span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>op</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Sat, Aug 29 2009, 1:30 pm EDT<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Question about maintaining hot water tank and HVAC</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody"></span><table width="90%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" border="0" align="center"><tr> <td><span class="genmed"><b>Guest wrote:</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="quote"> <br />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)!</td> </tr></table><span class="postbody"> <br /> <br />Very good info! Thanks! <br /> <br />I have one comment about the pleated filter vs. cheap spun fiberglass kind (quote cited above). <img src="images/smiles/icon_razz.gif" alt="Razz" border="0" /> <br /> <br />I have being using pleated filters (size 20x25x1), from MERV 8 to MERV 11. I thought the higher the MERV rating, the better (and more expensive!). Now, I am trying a spun fiberglass one (maybe a polyester one (MERV 4) later). <br /> <br />In the following forum discussion: <br /> <br /><a href="http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=160672" target="_blank">http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=160672</a> <br /> <br />A pro called "RoBoTeq" said the following that changed my view about pleated filter: <br /> <br />"The point is that fiberglass and most other filter materials become electrostatically charged when air passes through them. Only materials light enough to become airbourne make their way to the filter, and the filters charged media attracts that light material to the charged material of the filter. <br /> <br />A tightly fitting cheapo fiberglass filter, replaced monthly, is the most forgiving filter you can use and is perfectly capable of doing what HVAC filters are intended to do; keep the equipment clean. <br /> <br />If you want whole house allergy control, have a self contained by pass HEPA filter system installed into the return air ducting and get rid of all of those chemically scented air fresheners, candles and detergents. " <img src="images/smiles/icon_idea.gif" alt="Idea" border="0" /></span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Guest</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Sat, Aug 29 2009, 8:51 am EDT<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Question about maintaining hot water tank and HVAC</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">You do not need to call a professional for some simple maintenance tasks. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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)!</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row2"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>Guest</b></span></td> <td class="row2" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Fri, Aug 28 2009, 8:14 am EDT<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Re: Question about maintaining hot water tank and HVAC</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">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. <br /> <br />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.</span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" align="left" valign="top" class="row1"><span class="name"><a name=""></a><b>newbie</b></span></td> <td class="row1" height="28" valign="top"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/icon_minipost.gif" width="12" height="9" alt="Post" title="Post" border="0" /><span class="postdetails">Posted: Fri, Aug 28 2009, 7:04 am EDT<span class="gen"> </span> Post subject: Question about maintaining hot water tank and HVAC</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><hr /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="postbody">A newbie homeowner here. <img src="images/smiles/icon_razz.gif" alt="Razz" border="0" /> <br /> <br />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... <br /> <br />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). <br /> <br />I thought maybe it's time to hire a pro to check my HVAC system and hot water tank before serious failure occurs. <img src="images/smiles/icon_wink.gif" alt="Wink" border="0" /> <br /> <br />The question is who should I call (I hate being taken for a ride by pros when they discover I am a newbie) ? <img src="images/smiles/icon_redface.gif" alt="Embarassed" border="0" /></span></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" height="1" class="spaceRow"><img src="templates/subSilver/images/spacer.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" /></td> </tr> </table>
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