Cooktop

No matter what type of cook top you have, it can be sparkling clean with these helpful tips.

• If the manual on your gas cook top says it's okay, you can run the grates to a dishwasher on a regular basis.
• For cooked-on stains, soak the grates in warm, soapy water in the sink or a tub. Scrub the grates gently. If they aren't coated, you can use a gentle scouring pad.
• For coated grates, use a sponge. Remove electric coil burners for easy cleaning. Gently unplug the burner and wipe it with a sponge soaked in warm, soapy water.
• Be careful not to get the electrical connection wet.
• Rinse and dry thoroughly before reattaching.
• To clean cooked-on stains on a glass cook top, use a single-edged scraper. Soak the problem area in the strongest cleaner your cook top can handle and let it sit. Then, scrape slowly, firmly, and carefully, holding the blade at a 30- to 40-degree angle. Don't press too hard and don't hold the scraper at a high angle. Now, wipe the cook top clean.

The way a hot water system is designed and installed can have a significant impact on its efficiency. About 30% of the energy used to heat water in a storage system is wasted due to heat loss from the tank and associated pipe work. Speak to your installer, system designer or builder to make sure you get the best result.

• Estimate your hot water needs accurately to make sure your system is the right size for your household. If storage tanks are too small for the number of people in the house, hot water can run out. If the tank is too large, operating costs will be higher.
• Choose the right system for your needs and climate. For example, heat pumps work best in warm climates.
• Position is important. For example, positioning your solar system to face north and avoiding shade will help it to operate at peak performance. Electric heat pump systems are best placed in a warm, ventilated location to operate effectively.
• Protect hot water systems from outside temperatures when necessary. For example, in cold and temperate climates solar hot water systems are likely to need protection from frost. Insulate hot water pipes. This is known as 'lagging'.
• Keep hot water pipes as short as possible to minimise heat loss. In new or renovated homes, locate wet areas like bathrooms and laundries close together if possible.

To get maximum performance from the cooler we recommend you follow these instructions. For further details about your cooler operation refer to the manufacturers literature. This advice is of a general nature and may need to be modified to suit your specific needs.

• Opening windows: To get the maximum possible performance from your cooler, you need to set the correct amount of window opening
• Adjusting the louvres: The aim is to spread the cold air as widely and evenly as possible within the room.The louvres in the grille can be adjusted to direct the air down and to spread it out.
• Reduce the heat coming into your homeWindows can contribute 25-35% of the summer heat gain to your home – so keep them covered up to minimise heat transfer into your home.

Cleaning your gas heater is essential to maintain efficient performance. Dirt can waste gas, severely hamper its operation, and even become a safety hazard.Always refer to your users manual for instructions on how to - and what you can - clean on your particular model but these tips should help.

• Turn off your gas heater, shut off the gas supply, and allow it to cool completely before you clean anything or begin to take it apart. Dust all surfaces with a clean cloth.
• Use a can of compressed air (at no more than 30 psi) or the blower of your vacuum cleaner to blow air through the ports, slots and holes in the burner, staying at least 2 inches away.
• Check your instruction manual to help you find the accessible filters. Do not attempt to clean any inaccessible filters as this could be dangerous. Only licensed gas fitters should clean and maintain these as part of a regular service. Sometimes the filters will need to be replaced rather than cleaned but your gas fitter will advise.
• The filters that are accessible - and therefore safe for you to clean at home - should be cleaned with a clean cloth or, for heavily dirty filters, soaked in a solution of one part water to one part vinegar. Just be sure to thoroughly dry them before replacing.
• Get an authorised gas fitter to clean the pilot light equipment.