Rheem速
rightathome Spring/Summer 2012
www.Rheem.com
2012 Spring Promo Up to
$1,200 Off
Rheem
home comfort
Systems
& Individual Units
Giada
Eco-vacations
De Laurentis ENTERTAINS
A new family trend
COMPLIMENTS OF
Temp-A-Tron, Inc.
Proudly Serving Loudin, Fairfax, Clarke, Frederick and Jefferson counties
540-338-3900 or 877-338-HVAC
Contents 4. BIG Savings Rheem rolls out up to $1,200 instant Rebates or great financing on new a HVAC system.
5. DesignStar Find out the best new heating or A/C system online. It’s easy and fun! 6. Recipes Celebrity chef and TV personality Gina De Laurentis has some great ideas for entertaining. 9. Travel Eco-vacations are a great new way to teach your family about nature and the environment. 10. Cooling Things you need to know about your next HVAC tune up. 12. Tomatoes Try growing your own tomatoes this year. It’s easy, saves money and you’ve never tasted better. 14.Honey-do List How to keep your cooling bills lower and equipment up to par.
Rheem Right at Home PUBLISHER William Sabo DESIGNER Richard Johnson Right at Home STAFF WRITERS Jim Foster David King Beth Burcham ADVISORS Rheem Heating & Cooling Melissa Thomas Phyllis Abshere All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the express permission of the publisher. Rheem Heating and Cooling 5600 Old Greenwood Road Fort Smith, Arkansas 72908 Published by: Private Label Media Partners 5102 Stoneleigh Circle Brentwood, TN 37027 877-618-6626 Copyright © 2012
HUGE savings on new A/C & Heating Systems & Individual Units Hurry, ends June 30, 2012 RHEEM OFFERS HOMEOWNERS THE CHOICE OF UP TO $1,200 INSTANT REBATE OR TWO GREAT FINANCING OPTIONS
Rheem rated
A new air conditioning and heating system adds comfort, energy savings and value to any home and now Rheem is giving homeowners some great options when the time comes to replace their current HVAC system and individual units. If your system is 10 years or older, you could be spending 40% more on your heating and cooling bills. A new system also saves on repair costs, as warranties last up to 10 years. Rheem is offering a no-fuss, instant rebate of up to $1,200 on qualifying systems. The rebate is given at the time of purchase, so homeowners can immediately pocket the extra savings. The other options are to choose a KwikComfortŽ Financing program of 18 months deferred interest or a fixed 1.25% low monthly payment plan for the life of the loan. Ask your participating Rheem contractor for details, but don’t wait, these offers end June 30th, 2012!
A leading independent consumer magazine recently conducted a study of 32,550 consumers who bought an HVAC system ranked Rheem #1 in reliability.
As impor tant as the system you purchase, installation is a key component to reliability. The correct size system, filtration system, duct work and many other factors are tied to the overall comfort inside your home. (See page 14) The contractor featured on the cover of this magazine has undergone rigorous training and certification. When considering a new HVAC system, make sure you look at more than just price. Quality Rheem systems that are installed by top-quality contractors will give you years of trouble-free comfort. For more information go to www.rheem. com.
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Rheem DesignStar® Two-thirds of new A/C & Heating Systems are financed The majority of homeowners finance their new A/C and heating systems And by offsetting the monthly payment with the energy savings, financing a new airconditioning or heating system can be a lot less expensive than most people think. New systems are 30% to 40% more efficient. If the cost to finance a new HVAC system is $120 a month, that system could save you $60 or more, basically making half the monthly payment.
Puts decision-making power in hands of the consumer Rheem DesignStar takes the guess work out of what you need. If you can order a pizza online, then you have all the computer skills necessary to use DesignStar. This free and fun technology makes it easy for homeowners to get recommendations on the type of HVAC system that will best suit their budget and comfort. Once you log in, just input your address and with a few clicks, you get an ACTUAL aerial view of your home from Google Earth. Add a little more information and DesignStar will recommend the best system and based on comfort
and energy savings because it knows the size, age, insulation and a ton of other factors about your house. In fact, energy savings aren’t some pie-in-the-sky guess work, but an actual estimate are based on LOCAL utility rates. Homeowners get a system recommendation along with options such as better filtration systems, humidifiers, etc. DesignStar can calculate accurate information because all of your home’s information is pre-loaded into the Web site from sources such as tax and building records. Try it today.
When you combine other various financial incentives that are available for new Rheem air conditioning and heating equipment with lower monthly energy bills and fewer repairs, you may be able to recover much – if not all – of the cost of a new HVAC system in about 5-7 years.
Financing, including KwikComfort, allows homeowners to borrow for the main unit and also options such as air cleaners, humidifiers, thermostats, UV systems and CO2 detectors. Homeowners should purchase the best system they can comfortably afford. A few extra dollars per month in payments can make a huge difference in energy savings, comfort and reliability.
If you want to see exactly how much money you can save go to to www. rheem.com and select a local Rheem contractor’s Web site and click the “Energy Savings Calculator.”
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Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentis
Entertaining made fun and easy by the host of “Everyday Italian� on The Food Network
Set the Stage for Simple Summer Entertaining Long summer evenings present a perfect opportunity to celebrate good wine, good food and the good company of family and friends. What better way to create a beautiful evening than to host a fun gathering with easy-to-share fare, delicious wine pairings and a great movie? When it comes to entertaining, Emmy award-winning chef and cookbook author Giada De Laurentiis recommends serving sharable nibbles. 6
Apple Zeppole with Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Photo courtesy Food Network
Piadina with Fontina and Prosciutto
Apple Zeppole with Cinnamon Whipped Cream “I love Bella Sera’s Moscato - it’s slightly sweet and has a hint of peach. It’s great as is or with dessert.” - Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis Yield: 4 servings 1 large apple, peeled and grated (about 1 1/2 cups) 1/4 cup sugar 1 stick butter 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup water 1 cup flour 4 eggs 1 cup whipping cream 2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar, plus more for dusting 1 teaspoon cinnamon Olive oil for frying
In medium saucepan, combine butter, salt, sugar and water over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Take pan off heat and stir in flour.
Return pan to medium heat and stir continuously until mixture forms a ball, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer flour mixture to a medium bowl. Using an electric hand mixer on low speed, add eggs, one at a time, incorporating each egg completely before adding the next. Beat until smooth. Add grated apple and stir to combine. If not frying immediately, cover with plastic wrap and reserve in refrigerator. Combine whipping cream, 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Whip until medium soft peaks form. Transfer whipping cream to serving dish. Meanwhile, pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 325 F. Using a small ice-cream scooper or 2 small spoons, carefully drop about a rounded tablespoon of dough into hot olive oil. Turn zeppole once or twice, and cook until golden and puffed up, about 4 minutes. Fry zeppole in batches so as not to overcrowd pan. Drain on
paper towels. Transfer zeppole to a serving dish and sprinkle with powdered sugar using a small sieve. Serve with cinnamon whipped cream alongside for dipping. As seen on “Everyday Italian” in episode “Apres Ski.”
Fontina and Prosciutto Yield: 4 to 6 servings 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Fine sea salt 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, at room temperature 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 15-ounce container (2 cups) whole milk ricotta cheese 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (from 1 to 2 lemons) Freshly ground black pepper 3 cups (6 ounces) grated Fontina cheese (continued)
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Skewered Greek Salad 4 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced 1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves Combine flour, baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt in bowl of an upright mixer fitted with dough hook attachment. Add butter and mix on low speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes. With machine running, slowly add up to 2/3 cup water, until mixture forms a dough around hook. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead 5 minutes, or until smooth. Cut dough into 4 equal pieces. Form into disk shapes and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Place grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat gas or charcoal grill. On lightly floured work surface, roll out each piece of dough into an 8- to 10-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Brush each circle with olive oil. Grill for 4 minutes on each side. Remove piadini from the grill and let cool slightly. Combine ricotta cheese and lemon zest in a small bowl. Season with salt
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and pepper. Spread each piadina with 1/2 cup of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with Fontina cheese evenly over ricotta cheese. Arrange prosciutto slices on top of cheeses. Cut each piadina into 8 wedges and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped basil.
Skewered Greek Salad Pair with Bella Sera Pinot Grigio
Yield: 4 to 6 servings SKEWERS 24 grape or small cherry tomatoes 3 ounces firm feta cheese (see Cook's (Note), cut into 12 (1/2-inch) cubes 12 pitted kalamata olives 1/2 small red onion, cut into 12 (1/2-inch) pieces Vinaigrette: 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar 4 teaspoons chopped fresh
oregano leaves 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper SPECIAL EQUIPMENT: 12 six-inch bamboo or wooden skewers For skewers: Thread skewers starting with a tomato, then a cube of feta cheese, an olive, a piece of onion and finally, another tomato. Repeat with remaining ingredients and skewers. For vinaigrette: In small bowl, mix together lemon juice, red wine vinegar and half of the oregano. Whisk in olive oil until mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange skewers on a serving platter. Spoon vinaigrette over skewers and sprinkle with remaining oregano. Cook's Note: Buy feta packed in water; it is moist and easier to skewer and it won't crumble.
Keeping
your cool... Schedule check-up now Even Rheem Contractors get busy once the high temperatures of summer arrive, so it's best to check the cooling system in the spring. A little maintenance on the front end can lower your heating bills and save you thousands on repair or replacement costs in the long run. To remember, you might plan the check-ups around the time changes in the spring and fall. A TYPICAL MAINTENANCE CHECK-UP SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING. THESE PROCEDURES SHOULD BE DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT RHEEM CONTRACTOR. Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away. Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components. Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use. Check and inspect the condensation drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels. Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly. COOLING SPECIFIC Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
Maintain your equipment to prevent future problems and unwanted costs. Keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance by having a contractor do annual pre-season check-ups. Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment. Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent. ACTIONS TO DO YOURSELF Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure. WHY CALL A RHEEM CONTRACTOR Rheem Contractors are credit-worthy, licensed HVAC Contractors who operate their business in a professional, ethical, and customer-friendly manner. In addition, Rheem Contractors are some of the most highly-trained HVAC contractor.
Family time-off features eco-trip of a lifetime In addition to a catch-and-release ethic of sport fishing, world-class diving and a rich literary and artistic community, the Florida Keys offer an appealing variety of public parks and environmentally oriented eco-attractions, whether it is swimming side by side with a dolphin, walking among thousands of butterflies, navigating through tropical forests and botanical gardens or visiting a conservation area to observe the unique protected animal species in their natural habitat. Parks & Recreation Sites are abundant in the Florida Keys, and span all five regions. Conservation museums include Crane Point Hammock, Audubon House, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and Butterfly Conservatory & Nature Museum. Preservation Museums include Museum of Art & History at the Customs House, Lighthouse & Keepers Quarters Museum, Fort East Martello Museum & Gardens, Pigeon Key Foundation & Marine Science Center, The Oldest House, West Martello Town and Key West Garden Club and The Key West Heritage House Museum. THE KEY WEST TROPICAL FOREST & BOTANICAL GARDEN is the only "frost-
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free" botanical garden in the continental United States. It is home to many endangered and threatened flora and fauna. The Key West Forest & Garden is a special place where you can appreciate biodiversity and learn more about its importance. For instance, the forest has two of the last remaining fresh water ponds in the Keys and is a major migratory stopping point for neo-tropical birds from places as far as South America, as well as being home to many rare birds in the Florida Keys. Other highlights include: To protect a portion of the Florida Keys’ barrier reef, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was established off the Upper Keys in 1963 as America’s first underwater preserve. The park hosts more than a million visitors annually, offering them numerous opportunities to observe abundant wildlife through recreational and educational experiences. THE MARATHON WILD BIRD CENTER is one of the leading wild bird rescue centers in the Florida Keys, nestled in 64 acres of lush hardwoods as part of Crane Point Hammock. Tavernier’s Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, the northernmost of the
eco-attractions, is also a haven for bird lovers, a labor of love of Laura Quinn, affectionately known as the “Bird Lady,” who founded and runs the center. Each facility’s primary purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate and release ill, injured and orphaned wild birds. Boardwalks and nature paths wind through shaded cages that house wild hawks, ospreys, spoonbills, egrets and more. Some are there to recuperate and will later be released, while others would be unable to survive in the wild on their own and have become lifelong inhabitants. DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER on Grassy Key is a research and educational facility that’s home to a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. The center and its staff, winners of numerous awards, specialize in behavioral research and maintain liaisons with university research programs and independent scientists around the world. Visitors to the center can participate in enjoyable and educational programs that provide knowledge and insights about dolphins, their environment and their remarkable abilities. Through a number concepts
research study, researchers discovered that the marine mammals could identify simple math and distinguish the difference between numbers they were presented on a board. Well known for dolphin-assisted therapy programs provided to children with special physical and emotional needs, the nonprofit Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo also features marine science educational programs. MARATHON’S TURTLE HOSPITAL, is the only facility of its kind in the world. At the hospital, opened in 1986, founder Richie Moretti and his staff treat injured sea turtles and, when possible, return them to the wild. Educational tours of the facility are offered to introduce visitors to the resident sea turtles and to the hospital’s curative programs for loggerhead, green, hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley turtles. The hospital’s goals include working toward environmental legislation to make beaches and oceans safer and cleaner for sea turtles. THE KEY WEST NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE was created in 1908 in response to a fashion trend that was decimating migratory bird populations, then-President Theodore Roosevelt created this first wildlife refuge of the Florida Keys to protect and preserve a breeding ground for migratory species. The Lower Keys are home to the NATIONAL KEY DEER REFUGE, established in 1957 to protect and preserve habitats for wildlife, most notably the diminutive Key deer. A subspecies of the Virginia white-tailed deer, Key deer range in size from 45 to 80 pounds fully grown. The refuge encompasses more than 8,000 acres of prime Key deer territory ranging from Bahia Honda Key to the eastern shores of Sugarloaf Key, out to the edge of the Gulf
of Mexico. It also is a stopping point for thousands of migratory birds each year, and a winter home for many North American bird species including the roseate tern and peregrine falcon. The Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1938, provides safe nesting and breeding areas for great white herons and other migratory birds and wildlife. White herons are North America’s largest wading bird and, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are found only in the Florida Keys and on the South Florida mainland. Stretching between Key West and Marathon, the refuge features more than 375 square miles of open water and islands in the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors’ primary access is by kayak, canoe or shallow-draft boat, although the refuge manages lands on Upper Sugarloaf and Lower Sugarloaf Keys that are accessible by car. Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center located on the Key West waterfront at Truman Annex, the 6,400-square-foot center showcases the underwater and upland habitats that characterize the Keys, with an emphasis on North America’s only living contiguous barrier coral reef that parallels the island chain. The Living Reef Exhibit features a 2,400-gallon reef tank with fish and invertebrates indigenous to the Keys, and interactive and touch-screen modules,
text and audio/video components showcase stellar underwater footage about the vibrant Keys ecosystem and reef. Learn about the environment and cultural resources in the Keys through Discovery Saturdays. DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK is a remote offshore preserve that lies approximately 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. The park contains the Civil War-era Fort Jefferson, believed to be the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. Dry Tortugas is the largest no-take marine reserve in the continental United States. Snorkelers, divers, boaters and researchers enjoy a pristine marine environment while protecting the region’s important coral reef habitat. The park is divided into a historic preservation zone where visitors can enjoy guided tours, diving, recreational fishing and other activities; a managed natural/cultural zone offering solitude and activities such as swimming, diving and recreational fishing; the protected Research Natural Area, where boaters can enjoy the environmental richness while preserving marine resources; and special protection zones for areas requiring protection from human impact. Dry Tortugas National Park can be accessed via ferry or by private vessel. For more information go to: http://www.fla-keys.com/greentravel/
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HOW TO GROW A TOMATO Promising to grow your own tomatoes this year? Not only will you save money at the grocery store, you’ll get far better tasting tomatoes than at your local supermarket. Tomatoes are far and away the most popular vegetable grown by home gardeners. Who can resist the vast array of sizes, shapes, colors, and flavors of hybrid and heirloom tomato varieties? Plus, there’s nothing like walking through your garden and munching on your own home grown fruits in the middle of summer.
Gardening With Charlie By Charlie Nardozzi
HERE’S A STEPBY-STEP GUIDE TO GROWING TOMATOES.
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1. SELECT THE VARIETY - There are hundreds of hybrid and heirloom tomato varieties to choose from. In general, hybrid varieties are more uniform, vigorous, and disease resistant. They grow well almost anywhere in the country. Heirloom varieties offer more variety of fruit shapes, color, and flavor, but sometimes are only regionally adapted. It’s best to grow some of each, trying new varieties each year to see which grow best in your climate. For containers, choose dwarf varieties or determinate varieties. Indeterminate varieties will grow until the weather, insects, diseases, or you stop them. They require the most support but will produce the most fruit. 2. START SEEDS EARLY INDOORS - Unless you’re buying transplants at the local garden center, you’ll need to start your tomato seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. 3. RAISE AND WARM THE SOIL - On all but sandy soils, create 8- to 10-inch tall raised beds to grow your tomatoes. Two weeks before transplanting outdoors, cover the beds with red plastic mulch. The color red increases tomato yields by up to 20 percent. Plus it warms the soil, conserves soil moisture, and prevents weeds from growing. In extreme southern areas, use straw mulch or white plastic instead of red plastic to keep the soil from overheating. If using drop irrigation or soaker hoses to water your plants, lay these hoses under the plastic mulch before laying it down. 4. PLANT - Cut holes in the plastic mulch and plant tomatoes 2- to 3-feet apart in the raised beds. If your seedlings are tall and leggy, bury the stem to the first set of true leaves. Tomatoes have the ability to root along the stem; deeply set plants will be more productive. In containers, mix 3 parts potting soil with 1 part compost and plant one tomato per 5-gallon sized container. 5. KEEP ‘EM UP - Indeterminate tomatoes can grow to be huge plants. Plants trellised off the ground are more productive and have less disease and insect problems on the fruits than plants left to lie on the ground. Use homemade or commercial tomato cages, ladders, or stakes to train them off the ground. Dwarf varieties don’t need support, but determinate varieties do benefit from being trellised. 6. FERTILIZE, WATER AND WEED - Keep plants well watered, especially when fruit is forming. If the soil
Tomatoes are easy to grow as long as you follow a few simple rules moisture fluctuates too much, your fruits may develop blossom end rot (the rotting of the stem end of the fruit). If you haven’t used plastic mulch, consider mulching with straw to keep the soil evenly moist. Mulch also prevents weeds from growing. Fertilize monthly with a handful of an organic 5-5-5 fertilizer sprinkled around the base of the plants to keep the plants productive. 7. CONTROL PESTS - Watch out for a variety of pests on your tomato plants. Diseases such as wilt, virus, and blight can also cause problems. Select disease resistant varieties. Resistant varieties have the letters of the disease they are resistant to after their name, such as V and F for resistance to verticillium and fusarium wilt. 8. HARVEST - The more you pick, the more fruits will be produced. Allow the fruits to ripen on the vine to their mature color for the best flavor. Collect mature fruits to can or freeze, preserving the flavor of the harvest into the winter. If you still have many green fruits on your plant at the end of summer, prune off the top of the plant and remove newly forming flowers and small fruits. This will send more of the plant’s energy into maturing the remaining fruits. Harvest before a frost. For more tips and garden information visit www.garden.org. Charlie Nardozzi, a nationally recognized garden writer, book author, speaker and radio and television personality, has appeared on HGTV, PBS and Discovery Channel television networks.
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Time for your Spring “honey-do” list
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KEEP YOUR COOL WITH SPRING TIME A/C MAINTENANCE
DON’T LET APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY MILDEW
• Clear leaves, brush and dirt from inside your air conditioner’s top grill. • Trim nearby shrubs and bushes to allow at least two feet of clearance around the unit. • Set the thermostat to cooling mode and run your air conditioner a few minutes to make sure it’s working. • Schedule an annual checkup of your air conditioning system. • Replace your air conditioner filter once a month. Dirty filters restrict air flow and waste energy. • If you use a room air conditioner, install it on a north-facing wall to keep it out of the sun. • If it’s time to replace your air conditioner, look for an ENERGY STAR® qualified model to help reduce cooling costs up to 20 percent.
• Clear leaves, pine needles and other debris from gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage. Check that they’re stable to avoid flying debris during storms. • Position lawn sprinklers so they don’t spray your home’s walls. • Examine window and door seals and weather stripping. Reseal if needed. • Move furniture a few inches away from the inside of exterior walls to increase air circulation. • Check windows for condensation and walls for water stains, which are signs of too much humidity. • Keep your home’s relative humidity between 30 – 50%.
TAKE CONTROL OF HOME ENERGY COSTS
• Reduce air leaks in your home by caulking, sealing and weather stripping around doors and windows. • Use exhaust fans to reduce moisture in the kitchen or bath, but turn them off when they’re no longer needed. • Make sure your refrigerator’s seals are airtight. Test by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the dollar out easily, the seal may need to be adjusted. • If it’s time to replace your air conditioner, choose an energyefficient model with Rheem two-stage cooling. Two levels of operation allow you to rely on the low setting most of the time. • Prepare dinner on your outdoor grill to help reduce your air conditioner’s load. • Check ducts for air leaks, including holes or separated sections.
Chasing the Cure
Rheem racing team joins fight on breast cancer The Rheem Chasing the Cure program is a part of the company’s “Heart of Comfort” corporate responsibility initiative. Employees throughout Rheem are encouraged to support charitable efforts that strike a chord in their hearts, and bring comfort to others. For more information go to www.rheemracing.com.
Are You Throwing Away Money If your system is 10 to 15 years old, you should consider replacing your system with one of the newer, energy-efficient units. A new unit would greatly reduce your energy consumption, especially if the existing equipment is in poor condition. Better HVAC systems that provide two-stage comfort will not only lower your heating and cooling bills but will provide a more consistent temperature level in your home. Also, a new system will allow you to minimize service calls. In today’s tough economic times, homeowners might think about just patching their system to get through another season, but being penny wise will mean being dollar foolish down the road.
Annual Maintenance Agreements
Keeping up with your HVAC system could save you thousands in repair and replacement costs You know your automobile requires routine maintenance to keep it running at peak performance and to ensure its longevity. What many do not realize is, like your automobile, your air conditioning system requires routine maintenance to keep it operating at its peak performance and efficiency. The fact is that while we love to think of our machines and appliances as fail-proof, any man- made machine will inherently need proper maintenance. Even the highest quality machines require regular preventative maintenance to continue to operate at their reliable high levels. During a preventative maintenance visit, a service technician will most likely perform factory recommended maintenance on your system: 15
- Inspect and clean filters - Inspect (and clean and lubricate if necessary) moving parts, evaporator coil, electronics, compressor fan motor, blades, blower assembly and safety controls - Adjust belts - Check refrigerant level - Drain pan - Check lines and evaporator coil Preventative maintenance programs may vary slightly from one company to the next, but the general idea behind all programs is to ensure that all elements of the machine are working properly a prevent costly repairs in the future.
Temp-A-Tron, Inc. 540-338-3900 877-338-HVAC