It’s almost time to call your heating technician for your system’s annual check-up. But just because you’re between service calls doesn’t mean you should ignore your equipment.

Your role in maintaining your air-conditioning or heating system is just as important as the job of the service technician who performs your annual maintenance inspection. Keep tune-ups quick and costly repairs to a minimum with these simple tips for year-round maintenance.

Between visits:

• Change your furnace and air-conditioning filters often. This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate.
• Remove plants, fallen branches and debris from your outdoor HVAC equipment. Objects that are too close can prevent adequate air flow.
• Indoors, vacuum registers and air vents regularly. Heating contractors say simple dust and dirt cause almost half of their service calls.
• Move furniture and drapes away from registers.
• If something seems off about your HVAC equipment, call for service early. Odd sounds and smells could be warning you of a bigger problem.

Our annual Member Appreciation Day will be held Thursday, October 3rd at all Kenergy offices! Come out any time from 11am until 2pm for lunch, door prizes, and free buckets and bulbs (while supplies last). We look forward to seeing you.

You’d think that a machine designed to keep your clothes fresh and clean would clean itself. But washing machines need to be cleaned at least once a year.

Think of the dirt, grease and grime that your washer handles on a near-daily basis. They power the worst out of diapers, grass-stained denim, food-stained cotton and more.

Your clothes emerge spotless, but they leave some of that gunk behind. Laundry detergents can build up in the tub, pump and hoses. That build-up can make your washing machine less efficient and also can harm your clothes.

So clean it out. Here’s how:

• Fill your empty washing machine tub with hot water. Pour in three cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda.
• Remove the fabric softener receptacle and bleach dispenser and soak them in hot, soapy water. Nudge stubborn dirt and stains with a Q-tip.
• Sponge off the agitator and all the of tub’s surfaces.
• Use vinegar and a washcloth to wipe down the machine’s exterior surfaces.
• Check your washer’s hoses for weak spots or leaks. You may need to replace your hoses every five years or so.

With farmers returning to the field, Kenergy reminds them of the dangers of power lines.

If you’re inside the machinery when coming in contact with a downed power line…

• If you can, drive safely away from the downed power line and the source of electricity. Travel at least three tractor lengths, or about 40 feet, before stopping.
• If you can’t drive or you are injured, it’s best to stay where you are until help arrives.
• If you must get out of the machinery (for example, if the machinery is on fire), don’t touch the machinery and the ground at the same time with any part of your body or clothing.
  • With the door open, prepare to jump. Stand up, elbows tucked into your stomach and your hands held close to your chest.
  • Jump out and away from the machinery, taking care to land with your feet together and touching. Don’t stumble.
  • Shuffle away with your feet touching. Don’t stop until you’re at least three tractor lengths away from the machinery.
  • Call 911 and ensure that no bystanders come within 40 feet of the machinery.
  • Once away from the equipment, never attempt to get back on or even touch the equipment.

If you’re outside the machinery when you notice a farmer comes in contact with a downed power line…

• Stay at least three tractor lengths away.
• Tell the person on the machinery to stay where he or she is.
• Call 911 and ensure no bystander moves within 40 feet of machinery.