Older air conditioners, heatpumps and furnaces may still be able to offer years of relatively efficient use. However, making your older equipment last requires you to perform proper operation and maintenance.

Heating & Cooling Problems
One of the most common problems is improper operation. If your air conditioner, heat pump or furnace is on, be sure to close your home's windows and outside doors.

Other common problems with existing equipment result from faulty installation, poor service procedures, and inadequate maintenance.  Improper installation of your equipment can result in leaky ducts and low air flow.  Many times, the refrigerant charge (the amount of refrigerant in the system) does not match the manufacturer's specifications.  If proper refrigerant charging is not performed during installation, the performance and efficiency of the unit is impaired.  Service technicians often fail to find refrigerant charging problems or even worsen existing problems by adding refrigerant to a system that is already full. Heating and air conditioning manufacturers generally make rugged, high quality products.  If your heating or cooling system fails, it is usually for one of the common reasons listed below:

• Refrigerant Leaks. If your air conditioner or heat pump is low on refrigerant, either it was undercharged at installation, or it leaks.  If it leaks, simply adding refrigerant is not a permanent solution.  A trained technician should fix any leak, if possible, test the repair, and then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant.  Remember that the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump is greatest when the refrigerant charge exactly matches the manufacturer's specification, and is neither undercharged nor overcharged.
• Inadequate Maintenance. If you allow furnace filters and air conditioning/ heat pump coils to become dirty, the system will not work properly, and the compressor or fans are likely to fail prematurely.
• Electric Control Failure. The compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially when the air conditioner or heat pump turns on and off frequently, as is common when a system is oversized.  Because corrosion of wire and terminals is also a problem in many systems, electrical connections and contacts should be checked during a professional service call.

Regular Maintenance

• Clean or replace filters regularly (every 2 to 6 months, depending on operating time and amount of dust in the environment)
• Clean outdoor coils as often as necessary (when dirt is visible on the outside of the coil)
• Remove plant life and debris from around the outdoor unit
• Clean evaporator coil and condensate pan at least every 2 to 4 years
• Clean the blower's fan blades
• Clean supply and return registers and straighten their fins