Think about your car and its maintenance. Twenty years ago, most  people could handle the routine stuff…checking and topping off fluids, keeping tires inflated to the correct pressure, changing thewiper blades, etc.

     But today’s cars, with all the technological and computerized improvements, it’s sometimes difficult to even find a car repair dealer that can perform routine things correctly.

     In any event, it’s a given, (and most manufacturers of new cars insist) that to keep your car operating at its best (and to keep from voiding the warranty) periodic maintenance and an occasional tune-up from a trained professional is mandatory.

     Your cooling system is no different. As we head into a cooling season that guarantees us unprecedented energy costs even if its only a mild summer, the one sure way to get the best performance and longest life from your system, is to have a professional perform (1) routine checks (2) preventative maintenance and (3) tune up your system, in the spring to ensure that your cooling system works efficiently and economically, when you need it.

     A research study by Gulf States Power and the Louisiana Engineering Extension Center found that an air conditioning tune-up saved an average of $32.76/month on air conditioning costs.

     Furthermore, system capacity increased by 9,520 Btuh or 0.79 tons (1 ton = 12,000 Btuh). The study was repeated a year later on the same homes to find out if tune-ups were needed every year and savings of over $24/month were found. In other words, tune-ups are needed every year. Note these items:

• The EPA says that 0.042 in. of dirt on an air conditioning coil can reduce its efficiency by 21%.
  
  
• According to Honeywell, the pressure drop across an indoor coil doubles in four to seven years without proper maintenance, resulting in an 82% degradation of performance.

     The Applied Building Science Center in North Carolina found that the average heat pump operates 30% to 40% less efficiently than rated. Not all of this is from poor maintenance, although that's the primary culprit. When technicians were properly trained on maintenance and equipped with the right diagnostic tools, they increased the efficiency of heat pumps an average of 20%. As you know, in the summer, a heat pump operates as an air conditioner.

     As we see it, here at Climatemakers, we don't really have any competitors when it comes to getting your system ready for summer. While others may advertise “bargain prices” or abbreviated (10-15 points) services, only Climatemakers has an unequalled 40 Point check up/tune up, that (1) displays each point (2) defines the importance and then (3) posts it on the world wide web for all the world to see. Click here.

     Can we prove that we offer the area's most comprehensive “tune-up” service available (40 points!)? Do we put our money where our mouth is? See for yourself! See in writing, not only the name of each of the 40 points BUT the effect each point has on the performance of your system (and why you should not settle for less) by going to our website. Click here. We believe we are safe in saying, that no other local contractor can match that list!

     For PURELY SELFISH REASONS, and for a strictly limited time (March 15th – May 15th), a substantial seasonal discount on this service is available. We hate to give away so much money, but to date, we haven't been able to devise any other way to persuade people not to wait for the 1st hot day of summer to call…and we need the time to properly prepare the cooling systems for our hundreds of customers before the summer sets in for earnest.

     This makes for both of us a "win-win" situation. We win by getting you to order early (and can do more jobs)...you win, if you order early, by getting a $135 value for a lot less money (and you can save even more if you order on line) as you join hundreds of others who every summer, make Climatemakers their “contractor of choice”.

     But there are only a few days left to take advantage of this special seasonal discount. Remember, you must order by 03/30/06, to get the full 40% discount PLUS another $5 if you order it on line!

     Order NOW! Save a whopping 40%! (plus an additional $5 for scheduling online).  On line reservations can be made by clicking here. Reservations can also be made by phone. Call: HOT-COLD (468-2653).

     The cost of the "check-up/tune-up" is a small price to pay for superior equipment performance that result in lower energy bills and extended life performance. Remember, THE MAJOR CAUSE OF EQUIPMENT FAILURE IS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE.

     Before you consider a second or third job to pay your utility bills, experience the “tried and true” 40 point check-up as protection against soaring energy costs. Why not do it right now? Cool $mart this year by clicking here.

And here’s a new feature starting this month:

		Look Who’s Reading What!
		About 250 visitors, look in on the Climatemakers website every day. Click here to see the “Top 50” pages viewed last month and if you see a title you like, click on it!
And finally:
Please Vote For Us
The Virginian Pilot is currently conducting their 2006 survey of the Best companies in the Hampton Roads area. Please consider us as your choice for the best Heating/Air conditioning company. Your vote counts! Click here. Thank You!