How Can I Get the Most Out of My Cooling System?

Here are some things you can do around the house to optimize the operation of your system, as well as the comfort inside your home.

Cooling System Maintenance

• Set the thermostat as high as comfort will permit.
• Make sure attics are adequately ventilated to relieve heat buildup. If necessary, improve airflow by adding or enlarging vents.
• When building a new house or renovating an old one, choose light-colored roof shingles to reflect more of the sun's heat.
• During moderate weather, don't use the air conditioner unnecessarily.
• Draw blinds or drapes to block the sunlight during the hottest part of the day.
• Install awnings over windows exposed to direct sunlight.
• In the cooling season, don't run kitchen and bath exhaust fans longer than necessary.
• Don't place lamps, TV sets or other heat-producing devices beneath a wall-mounted thermostat. Rising heat from that equipment may cause the air conditioning system to overcool your house.

Heating and Cooling System Maintenance Tips

You wouldn’t drive your car 100,000 miles without changing the oil. The same logic holds true for your home comfort system. Regular HVAC preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure trouble-free operation and peak performance. Pre-season maintenance is also important. It can help to avoid a system failure in severe hot or cold weather when you need it most, and it can also keep your energy bill from getting out of control.

When Should I Do A Maintenance?

• For a system that heats and cools: perform maintenance in the spring and fall
• For cooling system maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the cooling season
• For furnace maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the heating season.