• Replace the air filter monthly.  Old or dirty filters cause equipment to work harder, resulting in energy waste and possible internal damage. If you have a reusable/washable filter, make sure it has completely dried prior to 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 the coil is dry prior to vacuuming.
• Remove clutter from around the furnace or blower coil. Items stored near the furnace are fire hazards and may cause combustion and the production of carbon monoxide gas.
• 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 Airflow representative.
• Keep return registers/grilles clear of obstructions. The return register must remain free of obstructions such as furniture, lint, dust or pet hair for the system to operate properly.

• Trim brush and shrubbery near outdoor units to prevent airflow obstruction. It is important to provide unrestricted airflow to the outdoor unit. Leaves, trash or shrubs crowding the air conditioner or heat pump cause the unit to work harder and use more energy. Also remove any debris that may have collected around the unit.
• Clean outdoor coil. The outdoor coil on an air conditioner or heat pump can sometimes become obstructed by grass clippings, leaves, dust, etc. If this occurs, use a garden hose to gently run water over the coil and remove unwanted obstructions.
• 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.

Although a qualified service technician should handle major maintenance, homeowners can also help keep the equipment running smoothly. Operating a dirty unit can cause unnecessary loss of efficiency and can damage the unit. Take the following simple steps to ensure your system is running properly:

• Schedule a semi-annual maintenance check-up or sign-up for our Performance Program (see our Performance Program page). The first step to prepare your cooling equipment for warm weather is to schedule an annual maintenance check-up to ensure your unit is running efficiently. An Airflow Systems check-up provides a thorough examination to ensure the safe and effective operation of your system.
• Always replace air filters at the beginning of the cooling season and change them monthly throughout the summer. Dirty filters should be replaced to prevent equipment from working harder, which results in energy waste and possible internal damage.
• Trim brush and shrubbery near outdoor units to prevent airflow obstruction.
• Remove grass clippings, leaves, and other debris from the outdoor coil.
• Reduce clutter in your attic to maintain proper ventilation and reduce the system's cooling load.
• If you're in the market for a new cooling system, consider purchasing a high efficiency model. It can help reduce your energy costs as well as conserve our natural resources. When selecting an air conditioner or heat pump, pay close attention to the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The higher the SEER, the less your unit costs to operate. The minimum SEER rating is 10. Some units can have a SEER rating higher than 19.
• Zoning can drastically lower your heating or cooling costs. Zoning divides your home into separate comfort areas, which are heated or cooled based on your needs. With zoning, you no longer have to pay to heat or cool areas of your home that are rarely used, or heat or cool the whole house just to make one room comfortable. Zoning is efficient, easy to install, and flexible enough for any home.
• Programmable or setback thermostats can make a big difference in energy consumption. These thermostats deliver maximum comfort, efficiency and energy savings. Setback thermostats are used to achieve the temperatures you want throughout your home. For example, if you're going to be away, you can set the whole house at an energy-saving temperature to avoid heating an empty house; you can also program them to set your living areas at comfortable temperatures when you arrive home.

Airflow can help you select the best cooling equipment for your home and help you determine potential energy saving.

Although it's best for your qualified Airflow service technician to handle major maintenance on your furnace, there are a few procedures you can do at the beginning of each heating season to ensure a more comfortable winter.

• Schedule a semi-annual maintenance check-up or sign-up for our Performance Program (see our Performance Program page). One of the most effective steps consumers can take to help ensure they'll get the efficiency they paid for is to contact an experienced, reputable air-conditioning contractor, such as Airflow, to check their system's operational efficiency and quality.
• Always replace air filters at the beginning of the heating season and change them monthly throughout the winter. Dirty filters should be replaced to prevent equipment from working harder, which results in energy waste and possible internal damage.
• Remove clutter from around the furnace. Items stored near the furnace are a fire hazard. They may also obstruct combustion air supply. This could cause incomplete combustion and the production of carbon monoxide gas.
• Pay close attention to unusual odors. If you smell any unusual odors, your unit may be operating improperly.
• Look for visible signs of a malfunctioning unit. Examples include unusual amounts of moisture on windows inside your home, visibly burnt components, or unusual dirt or rust accumulations in the chimney or flue pipe or in the unit.

It's important to have an Airflow service representative check your furnace semi-annually. There are several items they need to inspect to make sure your furnace is functioning properly. Airflow can also provide information about low-cost, preventative maintenance agreements (see our Performance Program page.)