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Fireplaces
Not only do fireplaces add a touch of beauty,
they also warm your home. But whether the
fireplace is wood burning, gas, or electric,
using them properly and safely is vital.
Care and maintenance
Follow all maintenance instructions from the
fireplace manufacturer and those below.
Electric and gas fireplaces
Inspect fireplaces twice annually or whenever
they’ve not been used for extended periods
of time.
Do not burn wood in electric or gas fireplaces.
If you smell gas, call your gas company. Call a
contractor if you see arcing. Until a professional
has repaired it, don’t use the fireplace.
Cooling & Heating
System
An efficient heating and cooling system in your
home is designed to keep you and your family
comfortable.
One of two types of heating and cooling system
is in your home:
1. Air conditioner and furnace.
2. Heat pump for heating and cooling.
The systems operate differently.
Air conditioner and furnace
Furnaces burn oil, natural gas, or propane to
generate heat. They transfer the heat to the air
and push it through the home.
Air conditioners cool the air via a coil that
removes heat from the air. A fan unit outside
the home disperses the heat.
Heat pump
Heat pumps serve both heating and cooling
functions. They’re most often found in
moderate climates that get neither too hot nor
too cold. Heat pumps don’t operate well at low
temperatures — they have to work too hard
— so they’re not suited for areas where below-
freezing temperatures persist.
There are a variety of heat pump styles but
air-source pumps are most common. They
transfer air between the inside and outside
of the home. Air-source pumps cool the
interior air by removing heat and transferring
it outdoors. They provide heat by transferring
