Question: Why do you need to have your heating and air conditioning cleaned and serviced?

Answer:The manufacturer suggests it and is a condition of your warrantee.

Preventive maintenance doesn't cost it pays. Listed below is a maintenance checklist you should follow to ensure that your home comfort system runs smoothly.

Your thermostat should be properly calibrated. This will ensure accurate temperature control and operating cycle. This will save you on operating cost and assure your comfort level.

Proper system start-up ensures operation on demand. This will provide smooth operation, reduced wear and longer life equipment. Poor starting capabilities is an energy drainer.

Improper refrigerant charge will damage your compressor, which is the heart of your system. Systems improperly charged will cause increased electric bills by reducing the efficiency of your system. The proper refrigerant charge will provide longer equipment life and lower your utility bills.

A dirty condenser coil will reduce your systems ability to remove and reject heat from your home. This will cause your system to run longer and increase your electric bills. The benefit of a clean condenser coil is proper heat rejection, reduced run time and lower energy bills.

Dirt and house dust that escapes through your air conditioning filter will cling to the cold damp coil. This will restrict the air flow through the coil cheating your system of performance and capacity. Maintaining the evaporator coil will ensure that proper air flow is delivered to all areas of your home, increase comfort levels, provide better dehumidification, and a cleaner healthier indoor environment.

As your system removes heat from your home, humidity is extracted from the air. The condensation created by warmer air passing over a cold coil must be drained from your system. This is done via a condensate drain line. The drain must be checked and cleared of algae build up or foreign particles clogging the drain, which could cause water damage to the ceiling or floors of your home. The benefit of this maintenance is the prevention of overflow problems and water damage. Proper draining will also aid in maintaining indoor humidity levels.

Dirty fan motors can affect the air flow to your home, limit your systems capacity and comfort capabilities, as well as spread dust particles, which irritate sinus cavities and allergy sufferers. A clean fan motor will provide even air flow at maximum system capabilities, improved comfort levels, proper cooling recovery time and reduced spread of dust particulates.

Moving parts in need of lubrication can cause increased electrical consumption due to additional power required to overcome the resistance in motors and drive shafts. Proper system lubrication will offer proper motor and shaft operation, extended part life and quieter bearings.

The electrical components need to be taken into consideration as well. Too much or too little voltage or amperage can cause advanced compressor failure, as well as reducing the reliability of the blower and fan motor. Maintenance will ensure peak performance, longer equipment life and consistent operating levels.

Improper temperature difference affects your comfort level, cycling time of your system, humidity removal and increases electrical consumption. Maintenance will offer consistent comfort levels, reduced operating expense and maximum system operation.

Dirty and clogged filters can cause many problems with your system such as; increased energy consumption, lower comfort levels, compressor damage, reduced air flow, and reduced humidity removal. Maintenance can provide cleaner, healthier system operation, lower utility bills, better dehumidification, improved air flow and increased cooling performance.

Improper air flow will cause "Hot Spots" in your home, which is uneven cooling or heating from room to room. Proper air flow will balance air distribution, improve capacity and efficiency.

Harsh contaminates outside your home eat away at the outside system, causing corrosion and reduced equipment life. Proper care and maintenance will ensure long lasting equipment life and appearance of your system. Application of an all weather coating protects your outside components.

Springtime is tune-up time in the air conditioning industry. It's the time when everyone should get their air conditioning system serviced.

While air conditioners are remarkably reliable, they are mechanical systems. Every mechanical system runs better when it's properly maintained. This may not matter for small appliances. It does for your air conditioner. Your air conditioner is the single biggest electricity user in your home.

Tune-ups do more than save energy. They've been documented to restore system capacity. If your air conditioner has trouble keeping up with cooling requirements, it may simply need maintenance. When was your last tune-up?

How do you plan to stay warm and comfortable this winter? Igloos, parkas and mukluks might work well for some people, but for most folks, nothing beats a warm, comfy house.

Make sure your house stays warm, and your family stays safe, by tuning up your heating system today. Your system will last longer and you’ll prevent those untimely breakdowns that always happen at the worst time.

EVERY furnace manufacturer strongly recommends having your heating system inspected and tuned-up each year. It’s not unlike maintaining a car—if you don’t change the oil, bad things will happen.

A furnace tune-up will help your system run better, last longer and break down less often.