Maintaining Your Equipment

Dirt and neglect are the #1 causes of heating and cooling system failure. One of the most important steps you can take to prevent future problems and unwanted costs is proper maintenance. Keep your heating and cooling systems at peak performance by 1. cleaning or replacing the air filter and about once a month, and 2. having a contractor do annual pre-season check-ups. Contractors get busy during summer and winter months, so it’s best to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. To remember, you might plan the check-ups around the time changes in the spring and fall. For tips on hiring the right contractor, see page 12, “Working with a Heating and Cooling Contractor.”

System-Specific Maintenance:

Cooling-Specific Checklist:

- Clean indoor and outdoor coils before warm weather starts. A dirty coil reduces the system’s ability to cool your home and causes the system to run longer, costing you more energy dollars and decreasing the life of the equipment. Check your central air conditioner’s refrigerant charge and adjust it if necessary to make sure it meets manufacturer specifications. Too much or too little refrigerant charge can damage the compressor, reducing the life of your equipment and increasing costs. Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow. Proper airflow over the indoor coil is necessary for efficient equipment operation and reliability.