We all look forward to the first hint of cool air to give us a break from the summer heat. We will be able to turn the a/c units off and fire up the furnaces and begin to go through the annual regimen of preparing for the upcoming winter. As we begin the transition from using the a/c to using the furnace, there are a few necessary steps we should consider taking. The heating and cooling systems are very important parts of our homes and need to be taken care of in order to perform properly and to run at the peak of efficient performance. Homeowners need to understand the importance of scheduling yearly inspections of their heating and cooling systems.

What an annual inspection accomplishes.

It is usually a good idea to schedule an annual inspection of your heating and cooling system during the fall season. This is a good time because the outside temperature has usually cooled enough that you do not have to use the cooling system but not enough to need to run the heating part of your system. Usual components such as filters and lines are checked to ensure proper performance. Electrical parts are visually checked for corrosion. If you have gas lines, they are checked for leaks, and all the fittings are checked as well. The burners should also be checked to ensure proper ignition and to make sure they are burning away all of the gas. It is equally important to check the carbon monoxide sensor; the vent is a very important protector against carbon monoxide and needs to be checked to see if it is venting properly.

Tune-ups will  help prevent breakdowns.

A tune-up will ensure the maximum performance of your system. There will be times during the winter when your system will run more than normal to keep your home warm during the harshest weather. You do not want to be snowed in with no way to get out and have your system break down; this will make for long cold nights and will call for emergency efforts which will cost you more.

Tune-ups will save you money.

Much like our automobiles, our heating and cooling systems perform better with annual tune-ups and help us save money on our energy bills. If our automobiles are at peak performance, they will be more efficient and so will our heating and cooling units. Heating and cooling make up about 54 percent of the average energy costs in our homes today. Tune up and save money.

Protect your family.

Damaged, broken, and poorly vented heating equipment can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Your HVAC technician will be able to properly check your system to be sure there are no leaks and that your system vents properly. You owe it to your family to keep them safe. Check with your local HVAC technician to maintain your system properly.