Regular Maintenance Ensures Home Comfort (NAPSA)—Here’s news that won't get you hot underthecollar. Regardless of the age of your fur- nace or heat pump, you can improve its performance with a few simple maintenance tasks. The experts at York Heating and Cooling offer these suggestions: * Begin by changing or cleaning your furnace filter. Most manufacturers recommend changing disposable filters monthly and cleaning reusable filters every other month. * Clear debris away from intake and exhaust vents to ensure unobstructed airflow. It’s also a good idea to clear away ice and snow during winter months. * Check the thermostat wire entry point and, if necessary, apply caulk, so a draft won't influence the thermostat reading. * Remove several supply and return registers to see if your ducts need cleaning. Professional duct cleaning can improve system performance. * Make an appointment with a service technician for an inspection. Heat pumps andoil-fired furnaces need annual tune-ups; gasfired equipment can be serviced every other year. A close inspection will uncover leaks, soot, rust, rot, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires. The inspection should also cover the chimney, ductwork or pipes, dampers or valves, blower or pump, registers or radiators, fuel line and gas meteror oil tank. * Run your system through a full heating cycle to ensure it has THE Bic Cuitt—Some simple maintenance on your heat pump can keep you warm and toastyin cold weather. plenty of combustion air and chimney draft. Technicians will test the air for carbon monoxide. * The technician will also clean the burner and heat exchanger to ensure smooth operation. * Heat pump inspections should include a check of the compressor, fan, indoor and outdoor coils, refrigerant lines and refrigerant pressure. * Finally, consider replacing an inefficient unit with a more energy-efficient one that meets the government’s minimum energy standard of 80 percent Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). ENERGY StTaAr-qualified furnaces such as the York Affinity” series deliver thoseefficiencies. To learn more about furnaces andto get additional tips on maintenance, visit www.yorkupg.com or call 1-800-910-YORK.
