Cooling System Checkups 

Houston, first you need A/C.  The best way to get 
your air conditioning and heating systems running 
the way it should is to find a company you can 
trust to service your system.  Did you know that 
a well-maintained cooling system can reduce your 
utility bill by as much a $30.00 per month? Studies 
show that a well-maintained system can restore 
capacity by ½ to ¾ tons, improve humidity control 
and reduce running time. 

If you are concerned that an air conditioning service 
company may advertise an unbelievable low price for 
a cooling system checkup as a way to sell expensive, 
unneeded repairs, they you should take extra care 
when selecting a company.( See article how to choose 
an A/C contractor)  Do business with a company that 
has a good reputation, and in the event the serviceman 
claims you need major repairs, get a second opinion.  
It is also helpful to know what you should be getting 
when you pay for a cooling system checkup.  Here is 
what a typical checkup should include:

• Inspect and /or clean condenser coil

• Check voltage and amperage on motors

• Check pressures for proper refrigerant charge

• Inspect condensate drain, clean if necessary

• Inspect air filters

• Check thermostat calibration

• Lubricate moving parts where necessary

• Inspect safety controls where applicable

• Check air flow

• Inspect appropriate electrical connections

• Start and operate unit

ENERGY - SAVING TIPS FOR THE HEATING SEASON

 Saving energy saves dollars and makes sense.  There 
are many good ways to cut energy use, reduce utility bills,
make homes more comfortable and help protect the 
environment. 

Some home energy conservation measures cost nothing 
at all.  Others require that we spend money on energy 
efficiency improvements now.  But that money can hold
down energy costs all winter long and for many winters 
to come.  So investing now can save a lot over time. 

Listed roughly in order of increasing cost, the following 
energy conservation measures make particularly good 
sense as cold weather settles in and heating bills start 
chewing into your wallet or pocketbook:

• Limit the loss of expensive heated air to 
  the outside.  Use kitchen, bath and other 
  ventilating fans sparingly.  In just one hour, 
  these fans can blow away a house of warm 
  air.  Turn fans off as soon as they have 
  done their job.
  

• Keep fireplace dampers tightly closed until 
  you prepare to light a fire.  An open damper 
  in a 48-inch square fireplace can let as much 
  as 8 percent of our heat escape out the 
  chimney
  

• When using your fireplace, limit the amount
  of heated air drawn from the rest of the house.  
  Open dampers in the bottom of the firebox if 
  provided, or open the closest window about 
  1 inch and close any doors leading into the 
  room.  This will allow air in for the fire while 
  reducing heat loss from the rest of the house.
  

• Draft-proof windows, doors and other air leaks.  
  Begin by picking a cold, windy day to test your
  windows and doors for air-tightness.  Make sure 
  there is no air coming from registers near the 
  windows and you’ll be able to find many leaks 
  simply by feeling around frames and sashes 
  with your hand.  Or you can make a simple 
  “draft detector” by clipping a piece of tissue 
  paper or light plastic to a coat hanger.  Hold 
  the coat hanger in front of a suspected crack; 
  any movement of the paper will indicate an air 
  eak that needs caulking and /or weather-stripping.
  

• Caulking and weather-stripping are reasonably 
  easy, so you may be able to save money by 
  doing the job yourself.  Materials will cost less 
  than $100 for an average house having 12 
  windows and 2 doors. Savings in annual energy 
  costs could be as much as 10 percent, so 
  draft-proofing your home can pay for itself very 
  quickly.  In addition, reducing air leaks to a 
  minimum may also allow you to lower the 
  thermostat on your heating system without 
  causing discomfort.
  

• Lower your thermostat to about 65 degrees F 
  during the day and 60 degrees F at night.  For 
  each degree you turn down your thermostat, 
  you’ll save about 3 percent on your heating bills.
  

• Avoid heating unused areas by closing off 
  unoccupied rooms and shutting off heating 
  vents.  Note: this does not apply if you have 
  a heat pump system.  Leave it alone, as 
  shutting vents could harm a heat pump.
  

• Consider the advantages of a clock thermostat 
  for your system.  The clock thermostat will 
  return the heat down automatically at a regular 
  hour before you retire and turn it up again 
  before you wake.  While you can certainly 
  remember to do this yourself, the convenience 
  and comfort of an automatic clock thermostat 
  may be worth the cost
  

• One big caution when setting your thermostat 
  back: some older people may require higher 
  indoor temperatures - above 65 degrees at 
  all times - to avoid an accidental and dangerous 
  drop in body temperature.  Individuals with 
  circulatory problems or those taking certain 
  drugs (e.g., phenothiazines) may be vulnerable.  
  In such cases, talk to your physician about 
  thermostat settings.
  

• Keep your heating equipment operating efficiently. 
  Clean or replace the filter in your forced air 
  heating system each month, and check the 
  duct work that is readily accessible for air leaks 
  about once a year.  To do this yourself, feel 
  around the duct joints for escaping air when 
  the fan is on; repair leaks with mastic adhesive, 
  as duct tape tends to loose adhesiveness after a
  few years.  Be sure that heating ducts in unheated 
  areas are insulated.
  

• It’s also important to keep the heating system 
  well tuned with periodic maintenance by a 
  professional service.  Once a year is a good bet.  
  Proper maintenance and adjustment of existing 
  equipment can improve efficiency by as much 
  as 10 percent a year.
  

•  Insulate your attic floor or top floor ceiling to 
  reduce winter heat loss. No matter how you 
  heat your home, insulation can reduce the load 
  on your equipment and the strain on your wallet. 
  Your exact need will depend on the energy 
  source you use to heat your home and the 
  amount of insulation you already have.
  

• Learn about “R” values” before you buy your 
  insulation materials; these numbers indicate
  resistance of an insulation material to winter
  heat loss or summer heat gain.  For guidance 
  on home insulation check with your electric 
  or gas utility company and talk with a 
  reputable insulation dealer in your community 
  or with your local building inspector.
  

• Consider installing storm windows and doors. 
  Storm windows can be both energy-efficient
  and convenient.   Combination screen and
  storm windows (triple-track glass combination) 
  can be opened easily when there is no need 
  to run heating or cooling equipment.  
  Inexpensive, temporary alternatives range 
  from a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a 
  frame to clear plastic film which can be taped 
  to the inside of the window frames.  Any of 
  these types of protection can result in cost 
  savings of as much as 15 percent a year. 

If you’re ready to make your home more efficient, call 
an ACCA member.

(This information is provided by the U. S. Department
of Energy)

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