Syncom is here to support renters with information and guidance on maintaining gas safety in their rental property.
Renters are important stakeholders in the ongoing safety of the property they occupy, so keeping you informed about gas maintenance priorities is essential.
Below are some tips regarding the gas appliance installation and maintenance.
Gas Meter
It is important to provide clear and easy access to your gas meter to avoid damaging it and ensure quick access when needed.
- Trim back bushes and shrubs around the gas meter to maintain clear access.
- Be cautious and avoid using any machinery (e.g., mower or whipper snipper) near your gas meter to minimize the risk of accidentally damaging it.
Space Heater
Regularly cleaning your space heater will improve airflow and reduce the risk of lint and dust catching fire.
- Clean the filter in your space heater every 6 to 8 weeks, especially during winter.
- Filters are typically easily accessible, usually located at the bottom or top of the space heater.
Turn off the heater unit, remove the filter, and use a vacuum to clean built-up lint and dust before re-inserting the filter.
Wall Furnace
Restart Pilot Light
To quickly restart your wall furnace pilot light and avoid property callouts, check for the wall furnace instructions that are typically found on the unit panel that you can open up, follow these instructions to relight.
Ducted Central Heating
Cleaning the return air filter on your ducted central heating every 4 to 6 weeks, especially during winter, is crucial.
- Cleaning the filter improves airflow, prevents adverse pressure and resistance on the supply air fan, and enhances the unit’s longevity.
- It also ensures clean air supply to your living spaces and reduces the operating noise of the heating unit.
- The return air filter is typically located behind the return air vent.
- Turn off the unit, remove the filter, and use a vacuum to remove build-up before carefully re-inserting the filter.
Helpful Hint – Ensure that at least 70% of your air vents are open in your rental property, and check that nothing is blocking airflow through the vents.
Ducted Heating Thermostat – Replacing batteries:
A thermostat is a component that senses and regulates temperature. If the text and information on the screen start to fade, it’s an indicator to replace the batteries in the unit.
Typically you can remove the front cover of th thermostat / control and you will be able to replace the batteries from there.
Ducted Heating Thermostat – Not working:
If safely accessible, switch the unit off at the powerpoint for 5 minutes, then switch it back on and attempt to restart it.
Typically, switching the unit off and on will resolve a random error. If not, please contact Syncom or your property manager.
Hot Water Service
Release Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve
It is essential to release the temperature-pressure relief valve on your hot water service at least once every 6 months. This valve opens to discharge excess water and release increased pressure within the tank. Failing to do so can lead to damage to the storage tank.
- Caution: Stand clear of the water release outlet, as the water released will be hot.
- Lift the valve for 10 seconds to expel some water from the unit, then check for leakage around the unit.
Hot Water Service Clearance
Ensure clear and easy access to your hot water service to avoid damage and ensure quick access when needed.
- Trim back bushes and shrubs around the hot water service to maintain clear access.
- Be careful to remove grass, bushes, or shrubs manually around the hot water service and avoid using machinery (e.g., mower or whipper snipper) near it to minimize the risk of accidental damage.
Restarting the Pilot Light
To promptly restore your hot water supply and prevent the need for property callouts:
- Check and follow the instructions on your hot water unit’s panel to reset the pilot light.