Tips to keep your equipment running smoothly and efficiently:

• Keep your air filters clean, check monthly and replace or clean as needed. Excessively dirty air filters are the number one cause of compressor failure and needless service calls.

• Upgrade your one inch thick disposable fiberglass air filters to higher efficiency air filters to keep your heat exchange surfaces clean and efficient.

• Keep your outdoor coil clean by washing it with a garden hose at least annually. If you have central air conditioning, you most likely have an outdoor unit that has a heat exchanging surface referred to as a condensing coil. It may have aluminum fins or a "spine fin coil". These surfaces collect dirt and airborne seeds causing reduced air flow, loss of efficiency and capacity, and reduced equipment life. DISCONNECT POWER TO THE EQUIPMENT BEFORE SERVICE. Condensing units are made to be outside in the rain so don't worry about harming the unit by spraying it with water. If you accidentally spray an excessive amount of water into the fan motor, let it dry for fifteen to thirty minutes before restoring power.

• Central air conditioning systems in most homes are "split systems", meaning the system has indoor components and outdoor components. The indoor component could be a forced air furnace or air-handler of various types. The indoor air handling unit may have a replaceable belt that drives the blower assembly. If your equipment has a "blower belt", you should check it periodically to ensure it is tensioned properly and that no cracks exist. DISCONNECT POWER TO EQUIPMENT BEFORE SERVICE. Tensioning or replacing a blower belt will likely require basic hand tools like an adjustable wrench. Be careful not to over tighten the belt as bearing damage will occur. You should adjust the belt tension to leave approximately one inch of "play" to prevent premature bearing wear.

• If you have more advanced mechanical skills, you may want to check your own condenser fan motor bearings and condenser fan blade. DISCONNECT POWER TO EQUIPMENT BEFORE SERVICE. Gain access to the motor shaft and try to move it from side to side. There should not be any sideways movement of the shaft. This test is a little tricky since experience is the best way to learn when motor bearings are bad. If you can feel a knocking sensation when you try moving the motor shaft from side to side, your motor should be replaced soon. Note, end-play is normal in most condenser fan motors. End-play is "in and out" movement of the shaft. Some condenser motors can be oiled but use oil sparingly, not over one teaspoon annually. Use good quality electric motor oil or SAE 30 or similar. Do not use light weight oils like 3-in-1 or spray type oils, it will shorten the life of your motor bearings. Inspect fan blades for cracks and replace them promptly if you find even a small hairline crack. Considerable damage can result when the blade comes apart during operation.

• Be careful not to "short-cycle" your compressor by changing thermostat settings rapidly. In other words, do not start-stop-start your air conditioner or heat pump rapidly. Let the unit rest for two or three minutes before restarting the unit. The result of short-cycling an air conditioner or heat pump will be a stalled compressor. The compressor tries to start against unbalanced system pressures. Normally the compressor motor is not designed to start and overcome the high pressures that are normal when the unit is operating. Pressures equalize within the system after a few minutes when the unit is not operating. Most compressors have a device known as an internal overload that trips and protects the compressor's motor windings from high amperage conditions. Once the internal overload trips it can take from several minutes to several hours to reset. Internal compressor damage can occur too with damage to pistons and rods in reciprocating compressors.

• If possible, shut off your air conditioning system during storms when lightning is present.

• Check fuses and/ or circuit breakers before calling for service.