PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE: HOW TO EXTEND YOUR COOLING SYSTEM'S LIFE BY 5+ YEARS

Between professional service visits, there are several things you can do to extend your system's life. Monthly: visually inspect the condenser coil (accessible from outside the cellar) for visible dust buildup — a can of compressed air can clear light accumulation. Check the condensate drain for any signs of backup. Note the operating temperature and compare to your setpoint — deviations of more than 2°F warrant a call. Quarterly: listen to the unit operating — any new rattles, hums, or grinding sounds should be investigated. Check the cellar door seal by closing a piece of paper in it — you should feel resistance when pulling it out. Annually at minimum: have a professional perform a full system tune-up. The cost of a maintenance visit is always less than the cost of an emergency repair or premature replacement.