Preserve...Protect...Prevent. Equipment that is not regularly maintained is moving closer each day to break-downs and unnecessary repairs. Today, we are able to offer a better approach to service that can improve the cost of heating and cooling of your home and protect your investment on some of the most expensive equipment in your home. We call it our Preventive Maintenance Program.

"An Ounce of Prevention..." This may seem like an old idea, but it's a new way of saving all year long that not only makes a big difference but it also really makes a whole lot of sense. Air conditioners lose capacity with use, long before your system actually breaks down, it silently and unavoidably loses efficiency requiring more energy and more money to keep you comfortable. Studies indicates that 20% of your money goes right out the window of your home simply because the equipment isn't regularly maintained. The coils become plugged, filters get dirty, belts slip and often there is a refrigerant leak. You may not recognize this problem until comfort is lost and, by then, the extra dollars are gone. With oversized air-conditioning equipment, the recognition time is longer and dollar losses are greater. It is sad but true that a majority of service calls can be prevented through proper maintenance. With a 15-point preventive and protective maintenance your system will continue operating at the design efficiency and with less wear on the equipment and reduced chance of inconvenient, expensive break-downs.

Here are some of the items that should be checked when doing a complete tune-up so you can enjoy increased comfort while reducing your cooling costs:

• Air flow through outside condenser coil:
• Clean coils
• straighten coil fins
• remove obstruction to air flow (bushes, boxes)
• Air flow through inside evaporator coil:
• change filters regularly
• clean coils
• clean blower wheel
• tighten belt; replace if necessary
• stop duct leaks
• Check refrigerant charge after cleanup.
• Check control system for proper performance.
• Inspect the ductwork for loose joints and other leaks. Air leaks can waste a lot of energy, and should be sealed. Use duct mastic for this job, not duct tape.
• Oil the motors and check the belts for tightness and wear.
• Verify the airflow by measurement. Improper airflow can substantially affect efficiency.
• Clean the indoor evaporator and outdoor condenser coil. If it doesn't have an access panel, install one.
• Check the refrigerant charge and adjust if needed. Remember that the law requires refrigerant to be recaptured when units are recharged.
• Straighten any bent films on the condenser and evaporator coils.
• Inspect the electric terminals. Clean and tighten the connections.
• Inspect the thermostat to ensure that it provides a reliable reading.
• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust your home's temperature automatically. The programmable thermostat increases the temperature setting while you're gone, and then returns the home to a more comfortable setting before you return.

Residential heating systems may have a variety of problems that reduce their energy efficiency. Home owners can help their heating systems in simple ways like changing filters and cleaning registers. Most heating improvement however, requires trained technicians. Consumer choices, such as service, replacement, and fuel choices require knowledge of heating basics in order to make good purchasing decisions

  The filter in your furnace or heat pump protects the blower, heating coils, and cooling coils from dirt. If these heating components get dirty, they are difficult and expensive to clean. Changing or cleaning your filters helps protect this critical equipment, and improves both heating and cooling efficiency.

  Other furnace maintenance tasks should be performed by a professional. Have a heating contractor perform the following cleaning chores and safety checks every few years.

  Measure the furnace's combustion efficiency, and make the required adjustments.

• Confirm that the chimney removes combustion gases from the home under all conditions.
• Clean the air-conditioning coil because a dirty coil impacts both heating and cooling.
• Clean the blower. Oil the blower motor as needed.
• Check for cracks or holes in the heat exchanger.

  If you hire a heating contractor to perform periodic maintenance, it also gives you a chance to learn more about your heating system. Ask where the filter is located, and how it is changed. Also, find out where your system's main switch is, so you can turn it off in an emergency.