Will Winter cost you money?

Winter is here, so it’s the time to do a safety check in your home to avoid any expensive surprises. These PlumbSpec tips will help.

Air Conditioning

A filter you should be cleaning regularly is your air conditioning. A reverse cycle air conditioner is the most energy efficient way to heat your home in winter.

Whether or not you plan on using your air conditioning for heating your home this winter, it’s good practice to perform regular maintenance of your system. You can clean the filters yourself, but unless you have recently had a full professional service of your system, a filter clean is often not enough to ensure the efficiency of your machine and the quality of the air it delivers.

A professional clean removes the build-up of harmful mould, bacteria, pet dander, dead animals, pollen and dust. A clean air conditioner also uses up to 30% less power to run, saving you money.

How old is your air conditioner? If it is over 5 years old, it would be a good idea to get it checked, in case it is due for replacement.

Portable Heaters

If you don’t use air conditioning for heating, there are a few checks you should do before switching on your portable heater. Make sure there are no frays or breakages in the cords. Don’t use an electric heater where it may come in contact with water. Never leave it unattended or in a high traffic area, particularly with children.

Outdoor gas heaters should be checked before use. You will need to have a licensed gas fitter service your outdoor heater if you have difficulty lighting it, the flame is yellow, or there is a strange smell or noise coming from the heater.

Interior Hoses

Flexible hoses, or stainless steel braided hoses, are a common installation usually found under sinks. Their design means they are vulnerable to kinks, frays and rust and can lead to a burst or leak. Flexi hoses must be checked at least every 6 months to prevent potential house flooding. If your flexi-hose is looking a little worse for wear, you should have it replaced by a licensed plumber as soon as possible.

Safety Switches

Your switchboard gathers dust, debris and moisture over time causing safety switches to slow or even cease. This can be a huge safety risk for you and your family. Safety switches should be tested every 3 months to ensure the mechanism works freely. To test your safety switches, press the “Test” or “T” button. The safety switch should then trip, shutting off power to the circuit. To reset push the switches back to the ‘On’ position.

If it does not stay on, you will need to call an electrician to repair or replace the safety switches to ensure you and your family’s safety.

Smoke Alarms

Fire and Emergency services organisations strongly recommend testing your smoke alarms once a month. To make sure you remember, you could set yourself a reminder for the first weekend of the month. Testing your smoke alarms takes less than 10 minutes but ensures your family has the best chance of staying safe in a house fire.

Smoke alarm legislation 

If you have a new or recently renovated property, you are required by law to have interconnected, photoelectric smoke alarms installed – by a licensed electrician – in every room and hallway. Any homes leased or sold need to meet compliance after 5 years. All owner-occupied residents also need to meet compliance after 10 years.

If you have any questions please contact Plumbspec today for all your plumbing, gas fitting and air conditioning needs. Call 0417 555 325