Your air conditioning and heating system needs routine maintenance to keep it running its best, just like your car. Without regular servicing, heating and cooling systems waste energy and are more likely to break down more frequently. With annual maintenance, you can prevent costly repairs and experience worry-free comfort for years to come.

1. As much as half of your energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. It stands to reason that making smart decisions regarding your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a large effect on your utility bills. So the first reason for maintaining your heating and cooling system is to make sure it is performing efficiently, which will directly impact your monthly utility bills.
   
2. Just like your car, your heating and cooling system also needs regular tune-ups. When we turn on our central heat and air units we want them to be able to deliver exactly the temperature we want and to deliver it all day long. If the HVAC unit is not running properly it may be working too hard and we will not experience the comfort of a consistent air temperature that we should be
   
3. One reason many avoid routine maintenance to their HVAC system is the expected high cost of doing so. Due to this fear, many homeowners wait until their home air conditioner won’t cool or their furnace won’t ignite before they call their HVAC service company. At this point not only do they have to typically pay more for repair or replacement than they would have for regular maintenance but may find themselves waiting around on the hottest or coolest day of the year when their service company is backed up with so many other calls. Having your HVAC system put on a yearly schedule of having the A/C serviced in the spring and the heater tested in the fall saves money and time. Regular maintenance will pay for itself in lower repair costs and more efficient operation.
   
4. Routine, scheduled heater maintenance not only allows for a more efficient and trouble-free operation, but it is also a matter of safety. A typical maintenance check-up will include tightening all electrical connections and measuring the voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components
   
5. Improperly maintained heating equipment can become a fire and carbon monoxide hazard, causing a health risk or even death. Holes in your system’s heat exchanger or firebox can leak carbon monoxide or allow flames that are normally contained inside the system to reach your living space causing a potentially dangerous situation.
   
6. Most manufacturer's require routine maintenance in order to validate the warranty. Routine maintenance will protect you from major system repairs and maintain your manufacturer's warranty.
   
7. It is important to have your heating and cooling system serviced at least one a year, optimally twice is best. Part of this inspection involves lubricating all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause resistance in motors and increase the amount of electricity you use. This resistance can also cause equipment to wear out more quickly, requiring more frequent repairs or replacements.
   
8. When it is properly maintained, you can add several years (3-5 years in some cases) to the life of your heating and air conditioning system. Not only will you increase the efficiency during it's lifetime but you actually add years of efficient use.
   
9. Another part of air conditioning maintenance is inspecting the blower components, cleaning and adjusting them. Doing so helps to insure proper airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent.
   
10. Homeowner's could inspect, clean or change air filters once a month in their central air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, eventually leading to early failure.

Higher Efficiency Means Lower Costs 

Imagine a heating and cooling system that gives you the ultimate in comfort; plus, cuts your utility bills from twenty to sixty percent while saving the environment! Sounds like a challenge for the new millennium, doesn't it? Well, it’s here.

The WaterFurnace Envision series is your best solution to high energy costs, enhanced comfort and improved reliability. Designed with leading edge technology, WaterFurnace Envision systems are rated number one in energy efficiency and can dramatically reduce your annual costs for heating, cooling and hot water by as much as 60% per year. No other gas furnace, air conditioner or heat pump comes close to the Envision’s efficiency. With the continuous increases in the cost of fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane and fuel oil, the savings possibilities are even greater in the future. 

Unsurpassed Comfort

You’ll enjoy consistent, even temperatures when your WaterFurnace system captures the relatively stable temperature of the Earth to heat and cool your home. You can even regulate temperatures in different areas of your home with an optional zone control system. You can breathe easier with the high-efficiency air cleaners found in WaterFurnace systems that keep your indoor air quality clean by removing dust and pollen. You’ll also enjoy the quietness of your WaterFurnace system since it doesn’t require noisy outdoor units that can disturb your peaceful surroundings. Likewise, you will not have any unsightly additions to your home’s appearance.

Safe for You and the Environment

Did you know that the ground absorbs about 47 percent of the sun’s energy that reaches the Earth? WaterFurnace Envision systems harness that free, renewable energy and provide an environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home. Installing a WaterFurnace system is the environmental equivalent of planting 750 trees or removing two cars from the road. And the WaterFurnace system doesn’t burn fossil fuels, which means no emissions or harmful greenhouse gases are released into the air. It also uses R-410A that is an environmentally friendly, non-ozone-depleting refrigerant that enhances efficiency and savings.

Features:

• A variable-speed ECM blower motor with up to 12 airflow selections allows the unit to provide enhanced comfort, quiet operation and energy savings.
• The cabinet is made of heavy-gauge galvanized sheet metal finished with a durable silver metallic powder-coat paint for long lasting beauty and protection. Fully insulated for quiet operation. Cleanable, foil backed insulation.
• New exterior design elements including rounded front corners, trim pieces and gold nameplates, put the unit in the same class as today’s stylish high-end appliances.
• Our exclusive FormiShield™ coating on the air coil resists corrosion and increases equipment life. Its large size improves efficiency and dehumidification during cooling.
• Electronic overflow protection is included to eliminate the possibility of condensate flooding. Constructed of plastic, the drain pan is also corrosion-proof and resists bacterial growth.
• During heating and cooling, the Envision preheats your water and delivers it to your water heater. The longer the unit operates, the greater the amount of hot water generated. In the heating mode the hot water is generated at the efficiency of the unit. In cooling, waste heat is recovered and hot water is FREE!
• Copeland Scroll™ compressors are featured in all Envision products. Superb efficiency and reliability. Dual capacity units include Scroll UltraTech™ compressors. Mounted on double-isolation plates for extra quiet operation.

For Information on how the WaterFurnace Envision system works, click here.

Visit the following websites for additional information:

http://www.igshpa.okstate.edu
http://www.geoexchange.org

For more on this or any of our other products and services, please contact us. Don’t forget to ask us about our exclusive 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

With proper maintenance and care your heating, cooling and plumbing equipment will operate dependably for many years. There are several maintenance items that you can do yourself to help ensure the best performance while saving you money.
 

Check the air filter in your furnace or fan coil each month. A dirty filter will cause excessive wear on your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump. Replace your filter when necessary, or clean it if you have the reusable type (If you have a reusable filter, make sure it is completely dry before you re-install it).

Failure to comply with all manufacturer instructions may result in fire or combustion that can cause property damage, serious injury or death. Before you perform any kind of maintenance, disconnect all electrical power to the unit before removing access panels; and be alert for sharp edges when handling parts or reaching into units. If performing maintenance not included in the list below, check with your McBee Man to determine if the service will void manufacturer warranties and guaranties. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Keep your outdoor condensing unit free of debris. If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and debris away from your outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care. Check the base pan (under the unit) occasionally and remove debris to help the unit drain properly.

Clean your humidifier at the beginning of every heating season. Review your owner manual for the proper procedure to clean the evaporator pad and external components.

Make sure your outdoor coil stays in a level position. If the support for your outdoor coil shifts or settles and the unit is no longer level, re-level it to make sure moisture drains properly out from under the unit.

Inspect your furnace combustion area and vent system before each heating season. If you find dirt, soot or rust, your system may not operate properly or at its peak efficiency. Call your McBee Man and do not operate your furnace until it is professionally inspected and/or repaired.

The pre-filter and collection cells of an electronic air cleaner should be cleaned at least two or three times per year.

If the exterior of your outdoor coil becomes dirty, use a brush or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean the surface. To clean dirt that is deep in the coil, contact your McBee Man to schedule maintenance.