Does Your HVAC Need Little TLC? (NAPSA)—Just like yourcar, EES your home heating system re- quires routine maintenance in order to run properly. Without regular servicing, heating systems can waste energy and are more likely to break down. But with the proper attention, your system will keep you warm all winterlong. According to the experts at Luxaire, a brand of heating, ven- tilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment manufactured by Johnson Controls, there are a few basic tips you and yourlocal HVAC contractor can follow to ensure your heating system operates properly. A Few Basics Inspect Your System—Aclose inspection will uncover leaks, Don’t give the cold shoulder to soot, rust, rot, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires. In fur- your heating system. It should be ductwork or pipes, dampers or a Heat Pump—Inspect the compressor, fan, indoor and outdoor coils and refrigerant lines. Indoor nace (forced-air) and boiler (hotwater) systems, the inspection should also cover the chimney, valves, blower or pump,registers or radiators, the fuel line and the gas meter or oil tank, as well as every part of the furnaceorboiler. e Run Your System—Your heating system should be run through a full heating cycle to ensure it has plenty of combustion air and chimney draft. Contractors use smoke pencils to check for sufficient draft and also test the air for carbon monoxide. e Clean the Burner and Heat Exchanger in Furnaces—Scour the burner and heat exchanger to remove soot and other gunk that serviced regularly. Check all the Components of and outdoor coils should be cleaned, and the refrigerant pressure should be checked. Low pressure indicates a leak; to locateit, contractors feed tinted refrigerant into the loop and go over it with an electronic detector. Annual Maintenance Luxaire recommends contact- ing a qualified contractor to perform some of these maintenance activities as part of an annual ser- vice call. Heat pumpsandoil-fired can impede smooth operation. For furnaces and boilers require a yearly tune-up. Since gas-fired equipment burns cleaner, it adjusting the flame to the right size and color, regulating the flow of gas or changingthefuel filter in an oil-fired system. visit www.luxaire.com. the burner, efficiency hinges on should be serviced every other year. To learn more about heating systems and routine maintenance,
