Frequently Asked Questions

No matter what kind of water heater you have, there is annual maintenance that should be done to ensure the health and longevity of your water heater.

• Tank-type water heaters: Should be flushed annually to remove sediment buildup from the tank. (Homeowner capable.)
• On-demand (tankless) water heaters: A power flush should be done to prevent buildup on the thin plates inside. (Professional should do.)

Anode Rod: Some water heaters have an anode rod. This should be inspected and changed every few years. (Professional should do.)

Before calling a professional, you should:

• Try to determine where the leak is coming from. There are many things in the home that can leak water. Try to determine if it is a water pipe, drain pipe, fixture, or an appliance (i.e., dishwasher, water heater, air conditioning system).
• If you determine that it is a water pipe, fixture, or an appliance, try looking for a shut-off valve that feeds the fixture or appliance.
• If no shut-off is readily available, you may have to shut the water off at the main.

Knowing where your shut-off valves are located is essential. There should be shut-off valves:

• Under each fixture
• At every appliance (dishwasher, water heater, etc.)
• At the main (where the water comes in from your well or public water supply)

Main shut-off location:

• If you have a well: The shut-off should be right at the well / pressure tank.

If you have a public water supply: The shut-off should be very close to where the water meter is.

There are many sources of heat these days. You should determine the type of heat you have before calling. Having this information when you call will help us better serve you.

Common heating system types:

• Electric Baseboard → Call an electrician.
• Oil:

• FHA (Forced Hot Air)
• FHW (Forced Hot Water)
• Steam
• Quick checks: Is the power / switch on? Check the oil tank. Check the thermostat (turn it up / replace batteries).

• Gas / Propane:

• FHA (Forced Hot Air)
• FHW (Forced Hot Water) — conventional boiler or high-efficiency
• Steam
• Space heater
• Stove

• Heat Pump:

• Ducted heat pump
• Wall / floor / ceiling units

The best thing you can do for your HVAC system is to have it checked annually by a professional. They will be able to ensure safe operation of your unit, as well as walk you through any maintenance you can do yourself.

All FHA (Forced Hot Air) systems have air filters. Changing these on a regular basis ensures optimum airflow through the home.

We always recommend a professional appliance repair person for dishwashers or washing machines that are having issues.

When issues arise with these appliances, we generally recommend replacement depending on the age of the unit.

1. Check for error codes first. These can be very helpful to the technician. Error codes may display on the remote, the thermostat, or on the unit itself.
2. Try turning off the power at the breaker for at least 5 minutes. Then turn it back on and see if the problem is fixed or persists.

Important: The breaker must remain off for a full 5 minutes to dissipate all electrical current.

If your oil tank is empty, you need fuel to restart your heating system.

• Oil companies in the area may provide a delivery during regular hours at no charge. Some may charge a fee if it is outside of scheduled times or after hours.
• In a pinch, it is also possible to use diesel fuel to get your system running again.
• Once there is fuel in the tank, the oil burner will need to be bled to get the air out.
• Oil companies that deliver the oil can typically restart your unit. It is also possible to watch a YouTube video for step-by-step instructions.

First, you must determine what heats your hot water. There are four main types: Electric, Heat Pump, Oil, and Gas / Propane water heaters.

Electric Water Heaters

• Generally stand alone as a tank-type water heater.
• Typically fed by electrical current of 120V or 240V.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

• Also a tank-type water heater.
• Uses electricity and heat pump technology to heat the water.

Oil-Heated Hot Water — you may have:

• A tankless coil with a mixing valve
• An indirect tank-type water heater that is heated from the boiler water
• A direct oil-fired water heater that has its own oil burner

Gas / Propane–Heated Hot Water — you may have:

• A tankless coil with a mixing valve
• An indirect gas-fired water heater that is heated from the boiler
• A direct gas-fired water heater that has its own gas burner (chimney-vented or power-vented)
• An on-demand gas water heater

Knowing the kind of water heater you have helps us determine what might be wrong with your system, and helps us walk you through various steps that may restore your hot water without having to come out on a service call. (This applies to heating systems too.)