Below are simple actions you can take to help prevent any system breakdowns during the hot days of Summer!

Colling conservation

• • To comfortably cool your home, your heat pump or air conditioner must remove both heat and humidity. Don’t turn your system off even though you will be away all day. On a hot day, your system may have to operate between 8 to 12 hours to reduce the temperature in your home to a normal comfort level.

• Keep windows closed after sundown. While the outdoor temperature at night may be lower than indoors, the air is generally loaded with moisture which is soaked up by furniture, carpets, and fabrics. This moisture must be removed when you restart your system.

• The hotter the outside temperature, the greater the load on your system. Therefore do not be alarmed when your system continues to run after the sun has set on a hot day. Heat is stored in your outside walls during the day and will continue to flow into your home for several hours after sunset.

• Use your kitchen exhaust fan when cooking. One surface burner on HIGH requires one ton of cooling.

• Turn on your bathroom exhaust fan while showering to remove humidity. However, exhaust fans should not be run excessively. It would decrease efficiency by removing conditioned air.

• You can also help your system in the summer by closing drapes or blinds and by lowering awnings on windows that get direct sunlight.

Coil care

• • Keep the outdoor unit free of loose snow, foliage, grass clippings, leaves, paper, and any other material which could restrict the proper air flow in and out of the unit.

• The coil may be vacuumed to remove any debris from between the fins. However, don’t knock ice off the outdoor unit’s coil surface following an ice or severe snowstorm. The blows could mash the coil fins shut (blocking air passage), or break the refrigerant tubing allowing the refrigerant to escape.

• If the coil becomes excessively dirty, turn the main disconnect switch to OFF and wash the coil with your garden hose. Avoid getting water into the fan motor and control box. Flush dirt from base pan after cleaning the coil.

Filter care

• • Inspect the air filter(s) at least once a month. If they are dirty, wash reusable filters with a mild detergent per manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Replace disposable filters with new filters.

• Install the clean filters with “air flow” arrow in the same direction as the air flow in your duct. Filters should be clean to assure maximum efficiency and adequate air circulation.

• Drapes, furniture or other obstructions blocking your supply and return air grilles will also decrease efficiency.

Annual maintenance

A periodic inspection, cleaning, lubrication and adjustment of your heat pump or air conditioner is recommended.

The Owner/user should not attempt to disassemble the equipment nor perform the periodic maintenance unless they are experienced and qualified to do so.

To schedule your systems annual maintenance call us today at 1-800-398-HOME (4663) and check out our Guardian Maintenance options.