You may think your system is running “just fine” and therefore, doesn’t need maintenance “this year”. However, skipping maintenances will accelerate costly repairs. Of course, with time, your air conditioner and heater’s performance will naturally decline. But, you can prolong the life of your systems and keep them running at peak, trouble-free efficiency longer, by enrolling in a maintenance program offered by a reputable HVAC service company.

We all know that New England weather can be fierce and unpredictable. For peace of mind, it may be well worth spending a couple hundred dollars each year on maintenance then to suddenly lose your heat during a major snow storm or air conditioning when it is blazing hot outside.

Professional service technicians, who understand your equipment, can thoroughly clean your systems, perform important safety checks and inspect your equipment for (and correct) potential problems before they become major expenses.

When hiring a service company to help you maintain your systems, consider companies that also offer parts and labor discounts on repairs, priority scheduling and never charge higher fees for after-hours services.

Here’s what you should expect from your HVAC service company:

Standard gas heating maintenance visits take about 45 minutes to an hour, if repairs are not required. During this visit, your technician should, at a minimum:

Diagnose heat exchanger problems.
Replace the air filter.
Clean the burners. (If accessible)
Check or adjust the fan switch, as needed.
Check all safety controls.
Inspect the blower wheel and lubricate the motor wheel.
Check the gas line from the furnace shut-off valve to the burners.
Inspect the flue pipe.
Secure all panels.
Clean and adjust automatic controls.
Adjust combustion for optimum fuel efficiency.
Replace batteries for the unit’s CO alarm system.
Check to make sure the condensate drain is open.

Standard oil heating maintenance visits take about 2 hours if repairs are not required. During your visit, your technician should, at a minimum:

Change the nozzle.
Change the oil filter.
Change the oil strainer.
Calibrate the electrodes.
Brush and vacuum the heat exchanger.
Clean the burner compartment.
Calibrate the draft damper.
Calibrate the combustion air.
Test for carbon monoxide and smoke.
Test efficiency.
Test Boilers’ anti-freeze.

Standard cooling (air conditioning) maintenance visits take about 45 minutes to an hour if repairs are not required. During this visit, your technician should, at a minimum:

Straighten and clean the condenser coil fins, as needed.
Inspect the blower wheels.
Replace the air filter. *(standard 1″)
Check refrigerant charge by superheat and sub-cooling methods.
Inspect and adjust the pulleys and belts, as needed.
Lubricate the motors and bearings.
Inspect and test controls and safeties.
Check to make sure the condensate drain is open.
Inspect the wiring and tighten loose connections.
Record temperatures and pressures.

To learn more about Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks Silver and Gold Maintenance plans download a brochure on our website or contact us at (978) 540-8676 . We are open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.