Maintain Your Whole House Fan

Whole house fans move a lot of air fast and as with any fan, that means a lot of dust. Cleaning your whole house fan regularly will extend its life and ensure that your fan stays in good working order longer.

Dusting Your Fan

By simply dusting your fan off once a season you will extend the life of the fan’s motor. The dust accumulates on the fan blades, the motor and all its other surfaces. When dust accumulates on the motor housing, the motor gets very hot. When the motor gets hot, it burns up long before it should.

Before cleaning your fan, be sure to cut the power supply to your fan. These fans spin very fast and can be extremely dangerous, so it is imperative that the power is off. Use a cloth with a mild household cleaner sprayed on it to clean all parts of the fan after removing the vent cover. Be sure to clean the motor, both sides of the fan blades and surrounding encasing. Put the cover back on and restore power.

By doing this simple cleaning once annually you will prolong the life of your fan and ensure that you are not spreading dust around your house when cooling it this summer.

 

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-clean-your-whole-house-fan

Safely Away From Home

Summer is synonymous with vacation.  Travel, be it for a weekend or a month often means vacancy at home.  Having a trusted neighbor or family friend periodically check on the home can also be helpful in preventing any problems. Don’t leave your home unprotected.  Here are a few safety tips to be sure your home is ready for your vacation too.

Keep it Looking Occupied – An empty house is an invitation for burglars.  To avoid leaving your house looking empty;

  • Park your car inside the garage – it’s even a great idea to pack the car in the garage.  Nothing says vacant like packing luggage in the driveway for all to see.
  • Stop the newspaper and mail (or ask a neighbor to pick them up).
  • Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.
  • Install a motion-activated sensor on an outdoor floodlight.
  • Put at least one light on a timer.
  • Make sure your lawn stays trimmed.

Plumbing & Electrical Precautions – beyond the expense factor for utilities, not protecting your appliances could also leave to damage and unexpected costs.

  • Unplug small appliances and electronic devices.
  • Put the water heater in vacation mode.
  • Turn off water valves to the dishwasher, washing machine and all sinks.
  • Set the thermostat to a temperature that is less comfortable, but still protects your plants, pets and furniture.
  • Electronics should be plugged into a surge protector.
  • Install and test a battery backup on the Sump Pump if you have one.

General Preparation Tips – Don’t forget the simple items before you leave.

  • Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly.
  • Leave your emergency contact information with a neighbor.
  • Run your garbage disposer with a half cup of vinegar and some water.
  • Toss out any food that will go bad before you return from vacation.
  • Take out the kitchen trash, or any other trash that could get smelly.

Lastly, don’t rush.  Enjoy your time away and make the most of the memories you’ll create!