Shuangbei Residential Water and Electricity Maintenance Calendar for Four Seasons: Do one thing right according to the seasons, and your home appliances will have a long life and be easy to use.

Why does maintenance of home appliances depend on the season? Challenges Taiwan's climate presents to you

If you have lived in Taipei and New Taipei for a long time, you must have a deep understanding of the climate characteristics here: in spring, the rain is dripping, and the air is so humid that you can wring out water; in summer, it is muggy and hot, and the air conditioner is turned on from morning to night; in autumn, there are occasional typhoons, bringing instant heavy rainfall; in winter, it is cold and humid, and the use of water heaters reaches its peak. This environment with high humidity, large temperature differences, and widely varying seasonal electricity demands is the "stress testing ground" for home appliances and water and electricity systems.

Many equipment failures in people’s homes are not actually “worn out” but “broken down” or “broken during the change of seasons.” For example, if the air conditioner breaks down when it is first turned on in early summer, it may be caused by dust and moisture accumulated throughout the winter; if the water heater fails to light up in winter, it may be because it has not been used for a long time in summer, and the parts are damp or blocked by spider webs. As long as you grasp the rhythm of the seasons and do the right maintenance at the right time, you can significantly reduce the failure rate and save considerable maintenance costs.

Spring (March-May): Dehumidification and moisture-proofing to prepare for the rainy season

Spring is the season when humidity begins to soar. The focus is on "moisture-proofing" and "cleaning" to prepare for intensive electricity use in summer.

Core tasks:

• Dehumidifier maintenance: Check that the dehumidifier water tank is clean and clean or replace the air filter. Make sure there is enough cooling space around the machine body and empty the water tank. When not in use for a long time, the water tank should be emptied and covered with a dust cover.
• Electrical cabinet inspection: Open TV cabinets, audio cabinets and other closed spaces to check whether there is condensation. It is recommended to place some dehumidifier and allow the appliance to be powered on occasionally to use its own heat to dissipate moisture.
• Whole House Outlet Safety Check: High humidity can cause insulation to degrade. Check all socket panels for water stains and rust marks, especially in areas near water such as bathrooms, kitchens, and balconies.
• Drainage hole cleaning: Check the drainage holes on balconies and bathroom floors, remove fallen leaves, hair and other blockages to prevent water backflow caused by insufficient drainage during the rainy season.

Summer (June-September): The air conditioner is fully turned on, and electricity safety is at its peak

Summer is the season when electricity consumption is the largest. The core is "heat dissipation" and "energy saving", and prevention of sudden typhoons and heavy rains.

Core tasks:

• Deep cleaning of air conditioner: This is the most important summer maintenance! Ask a professional to clean the filter, fins and drain pan of the indoor unit, and check whether the cooling fins of the outdoor unit are blocked by dust or lint. After cleaning, the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner is improved and it saves more electricity.
• Check the non-fuse switch (NFB): When turning on multiple high-power-consuming equipment such as air conditioners and fans at the same time, observe whether the switch on the switchboard is abnormally hot or frequently tripping. This may be a warning sign of aging circuits.
• Electric fan maintenance: Clean the fan blades and grille, and add a small amount of lubricating oil to the horse bearing to reduce operating noise and power consumption.
• Preparations before typhoon: Check outlets and extension cords near windows for possible exposure to rain. Prepare flashlights, mobile power supplies, and make sure you know where the main water source and main power supply in your home are turned off, just in case.

Autumn (October-November): Maintenance and preparation, preparation for heating and hot water in winter

The crisp autumn air is the best time to carry out maintenance and preparation, focusing on "inspection" and "replacement".

Core tasks:

• Water heater and electric heater inspection: Before winter comes, check whether the gas water heater pipeline is rusted, whether the flame is normal, or the heating element and safety valve of the electric water heater. At the same time, take out the stored electric heater to test whether it functions normally and clean it from dust.
• Cleaning of the washing machine tank: After a whole summer of frequent use, mold can easily grow in the washing machine tank. Use special dishwashing detergent to clean and check whether the drain pipe is clogged.
• Replacement of old lamps: The sunshine hours become shorter and the lamps are used longer. Power-consuming traditional light bulbs and energy-saving light bulbs can be gradually replaced with more energy-saving and longer-lasting LED light bulbs.
• Check door and window seals: Check whether the window strips are aging to prevent cold wind and moisture from entering in winter, and also reduce the heating burden.

Winter (December-February): Prevent cold and leakage, and use high-power electrical appliances safely

During the wet and cold winter, the focus is on "safety" and "antifreeze", and special attention is paid to the use of high-power electrical appliances.

Core tasks:

• Top priority for electrical safety: When using electric heaters and electric blankets, be sure to use independent sockets and never share extension cords with other high-power-consuming appliances. Be sure to turn off the power when people leave or sleep.
• Maintain ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: When using a gas water heater, be sure to maintain indoor air circulation and never close doors and windows because of cold weather. This is the most important safety rule every winter.
• Prevent water pipes from freezing (although rare in Taiwan, you still need to pay attention when cold snaps come): For exposed water pipes on the roof or outdoors, when a strong cold snap hits, you can keep the faucets dripping slightly and let the water in the pipes flow to prevent freezing and bursting of the pipes.
• Cleaning of dehumidifier and purifier filters: When doors and windows are closed in winter, indoor air pollution and moisture problems may coexist. Clean the filters of both machines regularly to maintain their efficiency and air quality.

Five-minute inspections that should be done every month

In addition to seasonal maintenance, develop the habit of spending five minutes per month to inspect your home to detect problems early:

1. Testing the leakage circuit breaker (ELCB): Press the test button on the switchboard (usually marked with a "T"), and the power will be cut off immediately. Power can be restored after pressing the reset button. If it cannot escape, it means it has failed and needs to be replaced.
2. Check the gas rubber hose:Check whether the rubber tube connecting the gas stove and water heater is hardened, cracked or gnawed by mice. It is recommended to replace it regularly every two years.
3. Listen, look, and smell: Inspect your home for any unusual sound of running water (possibly a hidden leak) or a burning smell.
4. Check the water meter: Turn off all water-using equipment, confirm whether the water meter pointer is still, and check for hidden leaks.

Home is the space where we live every day. Just like taking care of your family, pay attention to its changing needs with the seasons and give it proper maintenance. It will reward you with a longer life, more stable performance, and most importantly - a safer environment. This maintenance calendar is tailor-made for the climate in the two norths. You might as well print it out and stick it on the refrigerator to make home maintenance a good habit for the whole family.

New knowledge on air-conditioning power consumption and Taiwan climate maintenance regulations in recent years (2025-2026 current situation)

With the high temperatures in summer breaking historical records and the adjustment of electricity price structure in recent years, the latest statistics from the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs show that air-conditioning equipment accounts for more than 47% of residential electricity consumption in summer. Many people mistakenly believe that if the air conditioner is not cold, they only need to "replenish the refrigerant." However, in fact, refrigerant is not naturally consumed during normal operation in a closed circuit. If the refrigerant is insufficient, it means that there are micro leaks in the copper pipes or joints. Simply replenishing the air conditioner will only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Refrigerant leakage will aggravate the high temperature overload of the compressor and shorten its service life.

According to Taiwan's standard operating specifications for air-conditioning projects, it is recommended that professional technicians with a refrigeration and air-conditioning decoration technician license perform "full machine high-pressure water washing and evaporator deep sterilization" every 1 to 2 years for detached air-conditioning indoor units. Especially in the humid summer in the Shuangbei Basin, the air drum and water collection tray are easy to breed black mold and jelly-like biofilm. This is also the main reason for the sour smell in the air-conditioning outlet and the backflow of the drainage pipe. Regular maintenance can maintain CSPF (Air Conditioning Seasonal Performance Factor) level one energy efficiency level, which can save an average household 15% to 20% of air conditioning electricity bills every year.

Autonomous simple maintenance vs professional maintenance safety red line

• Homeowners can do by themselves: Remove and clean the nylon filter regularly every 2 to 3 weeks (rinse with clean water and dry in a cool place, do not expose it to the sun to avoid deformation and embrittlement); clean the air outlet blades of the indoor unit with a dry cloth; check whether there is any accumulation of debris within 50 cm around the outdoor unit that hinders heat dissipation.
• Professional technicians must be entrusted according to regulations: Refrigerant pressure testing and leakage repair welding, high-pressure cleaning of indoor unit air drums and aluminum fins with liquid chemicals, reset of the drainage slope of hidden cold water pipes in the ceiling, and 220V dedicated power circuit configuration and leakage circuit breaker replacement.