Maintenance Tips

First, homeowners should always review their owner's manuals for information about proper start-up and operation of their equipment before applying any of the tips below.

Indoor Maintenance Tips:

• Check or replace the indoor unit's air filter monthly: A dirty filter will slow airflow and cause strain on your unit if not changed regularly. If you use a disposable filter, using a pleated filter will remove 3 times as much as a standard throwaway filter. Clean a reusable filter once a month, making sure it is dry before reinstalling.
• Inspect the blower compartment of your furnace or blower coil: Use a vacuum to remove any dirt or dust, which can result in improper performance and low efficiency. Make sure that the coil is dry prior to vacuuming. You may want to have this cleaned periodically by a trained service technician.
• Remove clutter from around the furnace or blower coil: Never store items near your heating appliances, especially combustible material.
• Check the flame on your natural gas furnace regularly: The flame should be clear blue. If it is yellow this is a sign that the fuel is not burning completely and Carbon Monoxide "CO" could be present. Hire an experienced heating servicer to install, repair or adjust fuel-burning appliances. The first line of defense in preventing CO poisoning is the proper installation, use, maintenance and inspection of your fuel-burning furnace. The second line of defense is a properly installed CO detector.
• Set the thermostat on "HEAT" and move the temperature setting above room temperature: Listen for any unusual sounds and call your local authorized dealer if you suspect problems.
• Keep return registers/grilles clear of obstructions: The return register/grille must remain free of obstructions such as furniture, lint, dust or pet hair for the system to operate properly.
• Check the chimney or flue pipe connections for tightness, blockages or loose connections: Your gas furnace flue pipe must remain tightly connected and free of blockage for the furnace to operate correctly. If repairs are required, contact your local dealer to schedule the repairs.
• Clean humidifier reservoir regularly: If your system includes a humidifier, it may be necessary to clean the water reservoir to prevent mold or mildew buildup. Pour a 1:9 bleach-and-water solution in the reservoir to eliminate mold and mildew buildup.

Outdoor Maintenance Tips:   (Caution: Turn Power Off Before Doing This!)

• Trim brush and shrubbery away from outdoor units: Remove any leaves, trash or shrubs crowding the air conditioner or heat pump which causes the unit to work harder and use more energy. Always be careful when using lawn mowers and trimmers around your condensing unit. Flying debris can damage the coil and fins.
• Clean outdoor coil: The outdoor coil on an air conditioner or heat pump can sometimes become obstructed by grass clippings, leaves, dirt and dust. If this happens, using a garden hose, gently run water over the coil, removing unwanted obstructions.
• Do not stack things on top of the unit: If the fan is on the top the air-flow cannot be restricted. Do not put your rolled-up garden hose or landscaping products on the unit.
• Make sure outdoor unit remains level: Ground shifting or settling can cause an air conditioner or heat pump to sit in an uneven position. If this happens, re-level the unit to make sure water/moisture drains from the cabinet properly. Be careful how much you move the unit. It has rigid connections to the electrical and refrigerant lines. Too much (and it doesn't take much) movement could cause a refrigerant leak to occur.

Heat Pumps:   (Caution: Turn Power Off Before Doing This!)

• Keep snow, ice, and leaves away from the outdoor unit: this includes the top, sides, and bottom.
• Remove excessive ice or snow build-up on or around the heat pump: If the unit is covered in ice or snow it must be removed for it to work properly. Turn the thermostat to Emergency heat or off and remove the snow and ice. You can pour warm or hot water over the unit to melt the snow and ice. Do not use any sharp objects to pick or knock the ice off the coils of the heat pump. This could cause severe damage and personal injury. Once the unit is clear of snow and ice turn the thermostat back to normal heating. If the unit ices up again, call a manufacturers authorize dealer for service.
• Heat Pumps should be elevated 4 to 8 inches above ground level: to keep coils clear of snow and ice and to allow for proper drainage.

Air Conditioners:   (Caution: Turn Power Off Before Doing This!)

• Cover the outdoor unit in the fall and winter when the Air Conditioner is not in use: This will keep heavy ice from bending the fan blades and objects like falling branches, leaves, Leaves dirt and hale from damaging the coil. Caution: this is for Air Conditioners ONLY, not Heat Pumps. Make sure the unit is turned off. You might want to turn the Air Conditioner off at the circuit breaker, so there is no chance of it "accidentally" turning on. Do not attempt to run the Air Conditioning with the outdoor unit covered. Be sure to remove the cover in spring before turning on your Air Conditioner.

Notes: Your system should be inspected at least twice a year by a trained service technician. A technician may also have other tips you may perform yourself to keep your unit running at its maximum efficiency. An efficient unit saves you money on your electric bills.