Preventative Maintenance

Heating and cooling systems work incredibly hard to perform their functions for your household. The constant stopping, starting and continual operation can wear down a machine quickly and unexpectedly if the proper care and maintenance is delayed. However, by performing preventive maintenance, or servicing your system regularly, you can maximize the lifecycle of your heating or cooling unit and guard against many unexpected failures.

             Rusted                                     Burned                                 Corroded

Preventive maintenance inspections performed on a regular basis can uncover leaks, rust, rot, soot, frayed wires and corroded electrical contacts.

At least once a year, heat pumps and furnaces require a professional tune-up. Because gas-fired equipment functions with greater heat, it also needs to be serviced every year.

Inspections on boiler and furnace systems should include ductwork, pipes, dampers, valves, the chimney, registers, radiators, pumps, blowers, fuel lines, the gas meter, oil tank and every part of the actual furnace and boiler.

Meanwhile, heat pump inspections should also include inspections of the fan, compressor, indoor coils, outdoor coils and refrigerant lines and operating pressures.

Duct cleaning has a large effect on the actual air quality. It will eliminate a house-wide breeding ground for harmful bacteria and mold in addition to helping your heating and cooling system operate more efficiently.

Here are several tips to help you keep your system running at its most efficient level:

• • Keep your thermostat at a constant temperature; the recommended temperature is 60-68º, even when no one is home.
• • Change your filters every month.
• • Check the outside condensing unit regularly for any grass clippings or leaves stuck to the coil. If it is dirty:
• Disconnect the power at the circuit breaker FIRST!
• Use a shop-vac with a brush attachment to vacuum off the debris.
• Run water from a garden hose through the coil until the water passing through it is clear.
• Turn the power back on.
• Have us service your unit every spring.