Heating & Air Conditioning Solutions

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Check the simple things first.
1. If you have a propane furnace check the tank to see if you have gas.

2. Check to see if any breakers may have tripped.

3. In a snow event, make sure that your heat pump has been shoveled around to allow air circulation, for gas furnaces make sure the exhaust pipe is clear.

4. Have you changed the filter lately? Clogged filters can restrict air flow. (You would be surprised how often this is the reason for no heat calls)

5. Is the thermostat working and on the proper settings? Some thermostats require batteries.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. A proactive schedule of maintenance and cleaning will protect your investment and extend the life of your heating and air conditioning equipment. With proper care for your equipment you can expect lower utility bills, extended equipment life, improved capacity and fewer repairs.

Advice from energystar.gov for keeping your system running at peak performance:

Change your Air Filter Regularly
Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool - wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system - leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Tune Up your HVAC Equipment Yearly
Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Annual maintenance will ensure your equipment is running at peak performance for the changing seasons.

Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. I would ask what to expect from a good maintenance service.

Lou Who Heating and Air Conditioning can help keep your investment running efficiently. Depending on the type of equipment you have our Tune Up Specialists will perform the following preventive maintenance procedures either in Spring, Fall, or both.

Clean or replace customer supplied standard air filters
Inspect inside cooling coil, clean at a discount if needed
Inspect condenser coil and perform light cleaning
Inspect drains, clean and test as needed
Inspect blower components, clean at discount if needed
Inspect and tighten electrical connections
Monitor volt and amp draw
Monitor refrigerant pressure
Monitor heating and air conditioning cycles
Inspect heat exchangers and burners
Inspect heat settings
Adjust gas pressure as necessary
Inspect pilot, adjust as necessary
Monitor flue draft
Inspect / test safety controls
Adjust air flow for temperature rise
Inspect thermostat operations
Remove debris from condensing unit

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. I would have exactly what I wanted and or needed together. Also any and all iformation on what my current system is.