When was the last time you changed the oil in your car? Probably when the manufacturer recommended, based on the mileage and time since the previous oil change.

Your heating and cooling equipment should be no different. It might be stationary equipment, but it's certainly not something you can set and forget.

Maintenance is a must for your furnace and air conditioner, not an option. Here's what you can expect from a tune up:

• A thorough inspection of the fan, burners, pulleys, belts, motors, heat exchanger and controls.
• Burner cleaning.
• Filter replacement if needed.
• Lubrication of bearings.
• Tightening of connections.

Reduce risk of shutdowns at the wrong time

The first reason to keep on top of your HVAC equipment is to prevent a major catastrophe. Having no furnace in the middle of winter is like shutting down at the side of the highway. You never want to be in that situation. Preventative maintenance on your furnace reduces the likelihood of being left out in the cold.

Keep your equipment working longer

The harder your equipment has to work, the shorter its lifespan. As with any machine, wear and tear will take a toll. The inevitable shutdown happens much sooner if you keep pushing your equipment without proper maintenance. Regular tune-ups will lengthen your HVAC equipment life, saving you money.

Lower your energy bill

No matter what shape your equipment is in, it has to provide the same amount of heating or cooling on a given day. A unit in top shape will do so with less effort, using less electricity and gas to keep your home at the right temperature. Proper tune up will allow your furnace or AC to work without emptying your pockets to pay outrageous energy bills.

Keep your family safe and improve air quality

Furnaces can introduce deadly carbon monoxide into your home if not maintained. A cracked heat exchanger can allow combustion gases to enter the supply air. A dirty burner can result in incomplete combustion, which in turn increases the amount of carbon monoxide produced. A professional inspection and tune-up will prevent these situations from happening, keeping you and your family safe.

Getting it done

To keep your home's air system working well, give us a call and we'll tune up your HVAC equipment so you'll be cool this summer and toasty in the winter.