Save Time and Money With Regular HVAC Maintenance

We as average homeowners pay very little attention to the systems in our homes that provide us with the daily comfort we expect until we are no longer comfortable. Think about it,  I've never leaned over to my wife while resting on the couch and said "I'm very comfortable with the air quality and temperature right now". This just doesn't happen. We do, however, take notice when the furnace isn't blowing hot air, the A/C isn't blowing cold or the air is humid and stuffy or full of allergens.

System performance and efficiency along with air comfort and quality is something that should be looked at every year. With proper maintenance, heating and air conditioning systems:

• Run less often
• Operate more efficiently
• Provide better home comfort 
• Produce safe indoor air quality

Annual and Semi-Annual Maintenance

Maintaining your heating and cooling system is not just a good idea, it keeps that warranty on your system valid and it can actually save you money. With  the investment of a precision tune-up, all aspects of your furnace, air handler, and/or condensing unit (the thing outside) will be inspected assessed and reported. This helps in keeping an eye on whether some parts are weak and in need of replacing or if they can wait till next year. One of the most important categories on the checklist is the airflow components. Air is the lifeblood of a heating and cooling system. If your system is being starved of air by a forgotten filter, plugged heat exchanger, a fan with excessive buildup on the impeller or improper fan speed, the system is running very inefficiently and the lifespan is being drastically decreased. It is recommended that your air conditioner be looked at in the spring and your heating system be looked at in the fall to avoid breakdowns during peak periods when it you may have to wait an appointment.

What to do if your furnace or heat pump isn't working

If you've noticed that your heating system is blowing warm air and your house temperature is starting to drop there are a few things you can check before calling a service repair company. Sometimes it is something small or accidental that is causing the issue. 

Here are some things to check before calling:

• Is there a power switch for the furnace or heat pump that may have been accidentally turned off? (This is a common problem)
• Check to make sure the thermostat is on the HEAT setting and the setpoint is higher than the room temperature
• Check to make sure the thermostat has fresh batteries
• Check the furnace air filter and make sure that air can flow through it freely
• Check for a breaker for the heat pump and/or furnace in the breaker panel that may be off or tripped
• If you've checked over these items or still need assistance, it may be time to call the service company. 

Protect your investment

Just like cars and trucks need oil changes and other work at different intervals, our home comfort systems need to be looked after too. Your home’s heating and cooling system is one of the biggest investments in a home so it only makes sense to give it the same maintenance care you would for a new vehicle. As mentioned earlier, this also keeps the warranty that comes with the equipment valid. We as consumers have paid for this warranty, why not keep it active? 

 If it’s been a while since your last heating system maintenance checkup, give us a call at (236) 905-0127, or visit our website to fill out a form. We would be happy to help in any way we can!