You can quickly recognize the performance of your car because you drive it every day. Regular service keeps the quality up and holds down operating costs for your car and it can do the same for your Air Conditioning and Heating equipment, especially in these days of ever rising utility rates. An Absolute Climate Control Comfort Club Membership (whew, try saying that 3 times fast) can greatly improve the “Mileage”of you home or business comfort system.Call your Absolute Comfort Specialist Today to join the Club and stay absolutely comfortable in any season.
Table 1 & 2 dramatize the Effects of Dirty Coils and Filters.
BEFORE>>Table 1- Electric Cost
Unit with Moderately Dirty Coils and Filters
Normal Tonage
KW-Hours Per Season
Total Cost Per Season
3
10,670
$928.30
5
15,165
$825.16
*Calculated at 95 degrees ambient temperature, 45 degrees saturated suction temperature, R22 refrigerant, 24 hour operation, 8.0 cent/kw-hr average electric rate.
After>>Table 2- Electric Cost
Unit After Coils Cleaned and Filters Replaced
Normal Tonage
KW-Hours Per Season
Total Cost Per Season
3
7,675
$614.75
5
10,302
$1213.20
*Actual Savings may vary according to equipment, installation and power cost
1. As much as half of your energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. It stands to reason that making smart decisions regarding your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a large effect on your utility bills. So the first reason for maintaining your heating and cooling system is to make sure it is performing efficiently, which will directly impact your monthly utility bills.2. Just like your car, your heating and cooling system also needs regular tune-ups. When we turn on our central heat and air units we want them to be able to deliver exactly the temperature we want and to deliver it all day long. If the HVAC unit is not running properly it may be working too hard and we will not experience the comfort of a consistent air temperature that we should be3. One reason many avoid routine maintenance to their HVAC system is the expected high cost of doing so. Due to this fear, many homeowners wait until their home air conditioner won’t cool or their furnace won’t ignite before they call their HVAC service company. At this point not only do they have to typically pay more for repair or replacement than they would have for regular maintenance but may find themselves waiting around on the hottest or coolest day of the year when their service company is backed up with so many other calls. Having your HVAC system put on a yearly schedule of having the A/C serviced in the spring and the heater tested in the fall saves money and time. Regular maintenance will pay for itself in lower repair costs and more efficient operation.4. Routine, scheduled heater maintenance not only allows for a more efficient and trouble-free operation, but it is also a matter of safety. A typical maintenance check-up will include tightening all electrical connections and measuring the voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components5. Improperly maintained heating equipment can become a fire and carbon monoxide hazard, causing a health risk or even death. Holes in your system’s heat exchanger or firebox can leak carbon monoxide or allow flames that are normally contained inside the system to reach your living space causing a potentially dangerous situation.6. Most manufacturer’s require routine maintenance in order to validate the warranty. Routine maintenance will protect you from major system repairs and maintain your manufacturer’s warranty.7. It is important to have your heating and cooling system serviced at least one a year, optimally twice is best. Part of this inspection involves lubricating all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause resistance in motors and increase the amount of electricity you use. This resistance can also cause equipment to wear out more quickly, requiring more frequent repairs or replacements.8. When it is properly maintained, you can add several years (3-5 years in some cases) to the life of your heating and air conditioning system. Not only will you increase the efficiency during it’s lifetime but you actually add years of efficient use.9. Another part of air conditioning maintenance is inspecting the blower components, cleaning and adjusting them. Doing so helps to insure proper airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent.10. Homeowner’s could inspect, clean or change air filters once a month in their central air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, eventually leading to early failure.