Heating and air conditioning equipment seem to break down when you most need it on the coldest or hottest day of the year. There are some simple preventive maintenance, trouble shooting and techniques that can help keep the unit working properly.

• It is very important to change your air filter as often as needed. Twice a year before summer and winter are a good time to change the filter depending on conditions and use. Every other or every three month can be needed. A higher efficiency filter with a MERV rating of nine (9) or higher may need to be changed more frequently at least every other or three months depending on conditions and use. Remove the old filter and install a new filter. Check the side of the filter for the air flow direction arrow before installing the filter.
• Program your thermostat according to your schedule for when home and away for energy efficiency.
• Check the thermostat if the unit is not heating or cooling to make sure it is on and is set a few degrees above for heat or below for air conditioning of the temperature displayed on the thermostat.
• If condensation water is detected coming from the unit shut it down and call for repair.
• If ice is forming on the evaporator coil when the air conditioner is on or if the unit is not maintaining temperature, the unit is most likely low on refrigerant and you should call for repair.
• It is recommended that an annual routine maintenance and inspection be performed on the system to help keep the unit working properly.

• Always use detergent made for high-efficiency (HE) machines if you have one, and use the minimum amount (more is not necessarily better). Regular detergents may mechanically or electronically damage a machine. Using the wrong detergent may even void a warranty.
• For high-efficiency (HE) machines use less or forego liquid fabric softeners (one teaspoon will soften a whole load). The same for bleach (one tablespoon for concentrated bleach, two tablespoons for regular). Remove finished loads immediately. Do not let damp clothes sit in the machine (this provides an ideal breeding environment for musty smells and mildew).
  When not in use, leave the door of the washer ajar, to improve air circulation inside the machine.
• Clean out the washer door’s rubber seal thoroughly with a half-half solution of water and vinegar regularly. Use Q-Tips for hard-to-clean areas. Wipe the inside of the drum with this solution as well.
• Monthly, pour some distilled white vinegar instead of laundry detergent into the dispenser, and add one cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Run the machine on the hottest cycle, plus an extra rinse. For extreme cases of mildew smells, replace vinegar with bleach and run a few quick cycles with hot water.

• Clean out the drain pump filter if one exists, every few weeks or whenever you notice problems with the water drainage, excessive vibrations, wet clothes after final spin, longer than usual cycle time, or unusual pauses during a wash cycle. Hair, fabric, and other various bits can get clogged up in the drain pump filter, leading to sluggish drainage of water. The drain pump filter location varies by machine (check your manual for details) but it is usually located at the front and bottom of the machine behind a small trapdoor. Use the drain line to remove any water in the pump first. Ensure that the spin speed you select is appropriate for the load you are washing. Higher spin speeds may mean drier clothes prior to putting them in the dryer, but also means extra wear and tear on the machine’s inner parts, potentially shortening its lifespan.
• Replace rubber washing machine water supply hoses with steel braided ones to reduce the risk of bursting.

Eat Drink SF is San Francisco’s premier annual food, wine, and spirits festival that celebrates the Bay Area’s world-class chefs and restaurants.

Four days of events showcase our incredible dining region and the quality of cuisine we are known for:

Thursday, August 25, 2016, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm @ Folsom Street Foundry: EDSF’s Taco Knockdown presented by Milagro Tequila. Top restaurant chefs compete in a creative battle for the taco title. Last year’s winners will be back to defend their titles with a new panel of judges and guests to vote on the Best Overall and People’s Choice winners.

Friday, August 26 – Saturday, August 27, 2016, 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm & 12:00 – 3:30 pm: Three Grand Tasting events. Festival Pavilion is transformed for the ultimate culinary affair. Guests will enjoy tastes from more than 35 restaurants (over 160 chefs and restaurants are featured throughout Eat Drink SF events), unlimited pours of beer, wine, and cocktails from more than 70 beverage purveyors, classes in the San Francisco Wine School Classroom, main stage demonstrations by celebrity chefs, lawn games and the SF Brewers Guild Craft Beer Bar in the Backyard Bites zone, and more.

Sunday, August 28, 2016, 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm: A special Grand Tasting to celebrate the Golden Gate Restaurant Association’s 80th anniversary and honor the legacy restaurants in the Bay Area. This Grand Tasting will feature bars and restaurants that have been open in San Francisco for at least 20 years and have helped shaped the distinct flavor of the local culinary experience. This will be a very special Grand Tasting.

For more information, visit http://eatdrink-sf.com/about/.