Homes Plus
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/119210
APRIL 2013 HOMES PLUS Cool continued from Page 6 warranty because there weren't routine inspections or maintenance." Droegkamp Furnace Company in Pewaukee was founded in 1877, an era in which a hand fan was considered cutting-edge technology Joe Landry has been with the compa. ny for more than 30 years and said the company does service work in residential and commercial air conditioning and heating. "The first thing people should do in the start up in spring or summer, is to take off whatever protective cover they may have on top." Landry said people use plastic and sometimes plywood over the top to protect the unit. If you flick on the switch on the first hot day and nothing happens, you may be kicking yourself. "The first day it hits 80 degrees, our phone is ringing off the hook," Landry said. He said homeowners should make sure the breakers are on if they turned them off in the fall. He said things that cause a unit to fail are many times something the homeowner could have foreseen. "People fail to change the furnace filters and that can cause it to fail, it allows the unit to freeze over, not enough air is flowing," Landry said. "I don't really recommend the covering," Landry added. "Sometimes when they're covered, mice, squirrels and other animals will be more inclined to nest in there because it's warm and dry They build a nest . and chew through wires and cause it to fail." If you do put a covering, use plywood on the top and keep the sides open so it can breathe. He does recommend coverings for people who live in wooded because of all of the leaves and dirt. He said air conditioning units should last about 15 years, but that obviously varies. "Units are not designed to run below 55 degrees," Landry reminds homeowners. Landry said when a unit is running low on Freon it won't cool properly: "It makes the compressor run hard and cause problems." SEER ratings are seasonal energy efficiency ratios. Landry said 30 years ago, units probably had SEER rating of six or seven. "Today they're a minimum of 13. The high, er the number, the lower the electric bill," he said. Landry said homeowners should make sure the drain in the basement is free and clear to allow for drainage from the condensation line. "I recommend you pour bleach down the drain at least once a year. People tend to store things around the furnace but should be careful not to crush the condensation lines," Landry said. Like Brink, Landry suggests turning on your air conditioner early in the season to make sure lines are flowing: "The first half hour a unit is running it's decreasing the humidity then it cools." , "People get stressed when they lose air conditioning, more irritable," Landry said. "Seems when they lose heat they can find a way to manage, but losing air conditioning makes people uncomfortable." 7 Landscape Maintenance Services: Lawn Care - Mowing Fertilizing and Weed Control Core Aeration Dethatching Spring and Fall Cleanup Trees, Shrubs and Flowers - Trimming - Annual Flower Design and Care Lawns R Us has been beautifing and enhancing landscapes since 1996. Call us today for a free estimate. Landscape Construction Services: SPRING SAVINGS ARE HERE! Stop in now and take advantage of our in store specials. Landscape Design & Installation Retaining Walls - Grading - Seeding & Sodding Plantings - Trees - Shrubs - Belgard® County Block® Fieldstone Natural Outcropping Natural Cut Wallstone Bed Installation Sales & Service Since 1949 231487002 APPLIANCE & T.V. www.radtkeappliance.com 682 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc 231474001 262-567-4873 - Mulch - Decorative Stone Patios and Walkways - Brick - Clay Pavers - Natural Stone 262-746-9000 www.lawnsrus.com Pewaukee