Customer Tips   Equipment Maintenance   It is important to have your furnace/air conditioner tuned & cleaned annually for the best performance and efficiency. We offer a tune & clean program that makes it easy for you to keep your equipment running strong. Call us today and we'll set up your tune & clean and remind you when it's time for another: (651) 439-3902   Equipment Maintenance Tips:    Furnace Care Filter: Your furnace filter must be checked monthly. A clogged filter will affect the airflow, efficiency, and life of your furnace. A very plugged filter can "starve" the furnace for air and cause it to shut down.   Blower Motor: Some furnaces have blower motors that require annual lubrication with a few drops of non-detergent motor oil.   Grills and Registers: Heat registers and return air grills should not be blocked by furniture, this will inhibit the proper air movement during the heating cycle.   Intake and Exhaust - 90% (High Efficiency) Furnace: Check the fresh air intake and the exhaust for blockage prior to each heating season and occasionally during the season. Dirt, ice, snow, leaves, or other material blocking these will cause the furnace to shut down.   Intake and Exhaust - 80% Furnace: Occasionally check the fresh air intake outside to be sure that there is no debris plugging it.   Drain: Your condensate drain line, which drains off the water produced as a by-product of the furnace operation, must be kept clear and free of kinks. Be sure no heavy object is set on it.   Thermostat: Furnaces are most effective when the desired temperature is set on the thermostat and then it is left alone. It should not be constantly turned up and down. If the furnace is turned down significantly each day, it will have to work harder and longer to "catch up" when you want to heat the house again. It normally takes as long to heat a house down as it did for it to loose heat.   Air Conditioner Care Filter: Your furnace filter must be checked monthly to protect your blower motor and evaporating coil.   Outside Condenser: Keep the outdoor condensing unit free of grass clippings, cottonwood seeds, and dirt buildup. Air cannot pass over the outdoor coil for proper cooling operation if it is plugged. This can be easily washed down with a garden hose. BE SURE TO SHUT OFF INSIDE POWER TO THE UNIT FIRST!   Fuses/Breakers: Severe electrical storms can cause the outdoor fuses or breaker to blow. These are located in the disconnect box outside, directly behind your air conditioner. If you must replace the fuse, BE SURE TO SHUT OFF INSIDE POWER TO THE UNIT FIRST! The fuse must be replaced with a time delay type with the same amp rating.   Drain: As the air conditioner runs, it also dehumidifies your home. The water produced by this process drains from the unit through a condensate line on the outside of your furnace. It is important that this water drain freely to prevent a backup of water into your furnace. If no water is draining when the unit is running, remove the line at the furnace and attempt to dislodge any dirt which may be clogging the outlet.   Winterizing : Your air conditioner is built to withstand the Minnesota weather, but if you want to cover it in the winter it is best to use canvas or place a board on top, which will allow air to pass through. Do not wrap the air conditioner in plastic as this can cause moisture problems within the condenser.   Thermostat: Air conditioners are most effective when the desired temperature is set on the thermostat and then it is left alone. It should not be constantly turned on and off. If the air conditioner is not turned on until the warmest part of the day, it will have to work harder and longer to "catch up" with the heat inside your home. It normally takes as long to cool a house down as it did to heat it up.   Floor Levels: If your house has two floors in addition to the basement, you may need to partially close the supply air registers on the main floor in order to force the air to the upper level. (Reverse this during the heating season). In all homes, close any basement registers or you will lose cooling efficiency.     Air Cleaner Care:   Electronic Air Cleaner - Filter: Replace your media air filter annually for the best efficiency.   Electronic Air Cleaner - Control Electrode: Wash the cells monthly. If this is done in a dishwasher, use the "no heat" drying cycle. Be sure the cells are completely dry before turning power on to the unit again. The cells must be handled with care to avoid bending or damaging the fins or breaking the ionizing wires.   Media Air Cleaner - Filter: Replace your media air filter annually for the best efficiency.   Ultra-Violet Air Cleaner - Bulbs: Replace your UV bulbs annually for the best efficiency.   Humidifier Care   Humidity  Level: Humidity level within your home is a matter of individual preference. Set your humidistat to the level that seems to keep your home the most comfortable for you. It may take you a couple tries with different settings to find what works best for you. At the end of the heating season, be sure turn off your humidifier as indicated in your owner's manual.   Drain: Check the water drain line to make sure that it is draining freely and that water is not leaking into your furnace. If no water is coming through when the unit is running, remove the drain tube at the unit and attempt to dislodge any sediment which might be plugging the outlet.   Water Panel: Your humidifier contains a water panel located just inside the cover. This should be replaced annually. The panel has a natural whitish coating which aids water distribution. Through use, minerals will be deposited on it. It can be rinsed off occasionally to remove some of the residue, but do not soak the panel in any strong cleaning solution.     Thermostat Use   "Automatic" Mode: By selecting "heat" or "cool" on your thermostat, setting the desired temperature and switching to "auto" mode, it will set your desired heating/cooling schedule. Setting your thermostat to "auto" will cause the fan to come on only when the furnace/air conditioner is operating.   "On" Mode: Setting your thermostat to "on" will cause the fan to run constantly. This may create the feeling of a draft in some homes during the winter, as air is constantly circulating whether the furnace is producing heat or not.     Service:  We have a live person available 24 hours a day to answer your call for emergency service anywhere in the Metro: (651) 439-3902   Troubleshooting Before Calling for  Service:   Furnace Problems   Power: Is there power to the furnace? Check the switch on the furnace and your circuit breaker or fuse. Also check the door panel to the blower compartment. If that is not properly closed, the safety switch may not allow the furnace to come on.   Thermostat: Is the thermostat turned to “heat” and set to a temperature above the present room temperature?   Filter: Is the furnace filter clogged, thereby starving the furnace for air?   Intake aand Exhaust - 90 % (High-Efficiency) Furnace: Is something plugging the air intake or the exhaust?   Gas: Has the gas valve been turned off? If you have LP gas, is the tank empty?   Air Conditioner Problems   Power: Is there power to the air conditioner? Check the indoor circuit breaker or the fuse inside and also check the disconnect box fuse outside. BE SURE TO TURN OFF YOUR INSIDE CIRCUIT BREAKER BEFORE CHECKING THE OUTSIDE FUSE!   Thermostat: Is the thermostat turned to "cool" and set to a temperature below room temperature?   Filter: Is the furnace filter plugged?   Outdoor Condenser: Is the outdoor unit plugged with leaves, grass, cottonwood, etc.? How do I select a contractor?   A contractor should: Be Licensed, Insured and Bonded in the municipality that you live Obtain the required permits and inspections for the work in your home Provide you with a free, comprehensive evaluation of your current heating and cooling system to determine the right model for your home Be a member of the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota  (1-800-646-6222) Have a positive track record of satisfied customers. (This can be verified through customer referrals and/or verification with the Better Business Bureau.)   How can I save money with a new furnace or air conditioner?   In addition to the rebates available through most energy companies, a new system saves energy and eliminates the cost and inconvenience of frequent repairs. We also offer furnaces and air conditioners through Maytag that come with a 10 year parts/labor warranty.   How do I know what equipment is best for my home?   Our experts will help you determine what system is best for you based on the following:   The correct size equipment is determined by doing an accurate heat loss calculation (Heat Loss Calculation: A formula, based on the integrity of your windows, insulation and house structure, that determines the right heating/cooling equipment for your home.) The right brand and model can be determined by evaluating your home and budget.   Feel free to contact our experts for answers to any of your questions.