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.