Tips For Maintaining Your Home's Heating And Cooling System
While all air conditioning systems work in a fairly standard way to provide a cool environment in one's house, there are options for keeping warm during the cold days of winter. Still, the maintenance required by the homeowner will remain basically the same, regardless of the method the system used to heat the home.
Homeowners are responsible to check the filter for dirt and change it as needed. Filters are found on all forced air systems. They trap dirt, dust and pollen from the air. In addition to providing a cleaner environment in which to live, they protect the unit from the damage this particulate material can cause. At a minimum, filters need to be changed four times per year.
Systems that also provide air conditioning will have an outside unit as well as the one located inside the home. These units are exposed to dust, dirt and pollen. These materials collect in the coils reducing efficiency of the system. They can easily be removed using a gentle spray from a garden hose.
All systems should be serviced by a professional at least once every year. During the service call, the technician checks coolant levels, cleans and adjust burners and ensures the system is operating correctly. The service call is essential to ensuring systems continue to operate safely and with maximum efficiency. Systems that burn fuel are checked for potential carbon monoxide leaks.
Maintaining one's heating and cooling system is essential to ensure its maximum efficiency. Systems will lose up to 10% efficiency each year they are not serviced. Most homeowners find the service call cost is quickly recovered with lower utility bills.
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