Summer is
still with us, but here in the great Northwest, especially in the Willamette Valley,
its often short lived. This is the time you will want to spend outdoors enjoying
whatever hobbies you like: hunting, fishing boating hiking, etc. There are
plenty of things to do in this beautiful state we live in. It’s always nice after a long day outdoors in
the hot summer heat to come inside to a nice cool house.
Air conditioning is a luxury that
can be affordable to install. With
advances in technology, these systems can be very efficient to operate if
installed and maintained properly. There
are many options to keep your home cool for the summer and warm in the winter,
from geothermal units to ductless mini-split air-conditioners and heat pumps. Our technology is advancing at a fast pace
and these units are getting highly efficient, and that matters when the price
of power seems to go up every year. If you decide to have an air conditioner or
heat pump installed, be sure to ask about efficiency and what kind of warranty
you are getting. There are many options.
If you already have an air
conditioner, regular maintenance is the key to keeping it running
properly. Three basic things you can do
as a homeowner to keep your system functioning properly are:
1)
Air filters: Change these regularly. A plugged air filter will cause a restriction
of airflow and can be the cause of many problems in the whole system if not
cleaned or replaced on a regular basis.
2)
Your outdoor unit (That sometimes noisy piece of
equipment sitting on the back side of the house): The coils of that unit need
to be cleaned for it to operate at peak efficiency. They can simply be washed with water or
sprayed with a pressure washer to remove the debris that accumulates inside
it. A light cleanser can be used to
remove more dirt. The important thing is
to improve airflow around the coils to allow them to work properly.
3)
The indoor unit: It also needs to be cleaned. Vacuum the dust out of the unit and away from
the gas valve or heat coils.
Remember to shut the unit down before cleaning it! Don’t forget to call SERVCO at (541) 451-5090
if you have any questions or problems with your heating and cooling systems. We are here to serve you!
