Maintenance Benefits
The Benefits of Good Maintenance
Properly maintained equipment will save you energy, keep you more comfortable, and last longer than poorly maintained systems. Those receiving quality maintenance will also have fewer breakdowns which means less inconvenience for you.
"We use E. Smith for heating and air conditioning. They're absolutely perfect. You couldn't get a more honest, knowledgeable group than that company. I installed two complete heating and air units with them three years ago and they're still working great. E. Smith is a top drawer company."
A typical maintenance check-up should include:
- Checking thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.
- Tightening all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
- Lubricating all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use.
- Checking and inspecting the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
- Examining controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
- Inspect, clean, or change air filters on a regular basis according to the type of filter that you have and the conditions in your home such as the presence of pets or occupants with allergy problems. Dirty filters are also a risk to the equipment as they impede airflow and can cause premature failure of components.
Cooling Specific tasks:
- Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils when dirty. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
- Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Furnace Specific tasks:
- Check all gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation and can lead to serious health problems. Lack of maintenance can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.
