Annual Maintenance Keeps Your Wallet Happy oie” KEEPING YOUR AIR CONDITIONER IN GOOD CONDITION—To keep your cool and have heat when you need it, make sure your heating and cooling equipment is regularly serviced. If you do have a problem, the more details you’re able to give the technician, the better he can determine howtofix the problem. (NAPSA)—Did you know that dirt and neglect are the top causes of home heating and cooling system failures? Fortunately, there are some simple tips homeowners can take to avoid unnecessary system repairs, stay comfortable and save money: Clean or replaceair filters every month. Clean andsealall air ducts. Have a technician lubricate all moving parts per the owner’s manual to decrease friction and save energy. Remove anything that blocks airflow to your furnace and air conditioning unit. Replace aging units with Energy Star approved equipment. Make sure your equipmentis regularly serviced prior to the heating or cooling season by a NATE-certified technician. Remember, even Superman can’t read minds. When yourtechnician comes to fix your ailing heating or cooling unit, he needs details that will help him accurately and quickly diagnose your unit’s problems. So, tell him the facts and understand that no fact is insignificant. North American Technician Excellence or NATEis the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventila- tion, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. The U.S. Department of Energy endorses NATE for raising quality standards and energy efficiency. To locate a contractor with NATEcertified technicians, go to the Consumer Contractor Connection at www.natex.org.
